Proven in Blood is an action-packed historical novel about a WWII military unit made up entirely of Japanese Americans and Hawaiians.
The story follows Daniel Tanaka, a student at UC Berkeley and baseball star in 1941 who is sent, along with his family, to an internment camp after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. After months in these harsh conditions, Daniel jumps at the opportunity to enlist in the military. Fighting in Italy, France, and Germany, he and his comrades face seemingly insurmountable missions, earning the most commendations and medals (and their Purple Heart nickname) of any other unit.
Written in third person from Daniel’s perspective, the novel brings his character to life. Daniel is upset at the overt hatred in the wake of Pearl Harbor, considering the internment camps to be “concentration camps,” especially after being sent to one in an overcrowded train. During military training, he and his fellow Japanese-Americans have trouble at first connecting with the Hawaiians who also make up the unit; their blend of Hawaiian and English is difficult to comprehend, and they cannot understand that Japanese-Americans are persecuted—until after visiting an internment camp, when the two groups bond.
Although he faces little discrimination in battle, Daniel nonetheless wonders during a perilous rescue mission for a lost unit if his team is expendable. And he experiences tension with a commanding officer determined to win, no matter the casualties.
The novel is filled with exciting battle scenes and powerful emotional moments, including when Daniel helps liberate a concentration camp; he assists the survivors and contemplates vengeance against the enemy. Descriptions of military tactics and weaponry ring with authenticity. Some drama is lost, however, because the novel begins with Daniel telling his story to his grandson, so readers know the outcome from the start.
Still, those looking for a novel about a little-known aspect of WWII history, with an engaging main character and easy writing style, will enjoy Proven in Blood.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.