The Girl With A Star-Spangled Heart: A WWII Novel

Nisei War #2

by Alexa Kang

A heartwarming story that shines a light on the rarely told history of Japanese-American women who served in WWII.

A triumphant tale of a young woman's rise to the call of duty in her country's hour of need. A heroine's journey through faith, heartbreaks, and friendships to discover her voice and bring home victory.

Growing up on Oahu, Vicky Kondo never planned to stray from a woman's traditional path. A Nisei daughter of a Japanese pastor, she dutifully obeys her parents and puts others above herself. Engaged to a young man with a promising career, she is content to become the docile wife everyone expects her to be.

Her world shatters when Japan launches a devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. Her beloved twin brother, Vincent, a soldier serving in the Hawaiian National Guard, is killed defending his base. To honor his memory, Vicky makes the unimaginable choice. She enlists to serve.

Her decision appalls her family and fiancé. To them, a woman has no place in war or the army.

Can she overcome the prejudices of her time and serve her country?

What challenges ahead will she face if she dares to take a different path?

_______________________________

If you like Sara Ackerman (Red Sky Over Hawaii) and Soraya Lane (The Girls of Pearl Harbor) , then don't miss this.


"An easy, delightful read that pushes readers to see the war through different eyes." — Eoin Dempsey, bestselling author of White Rose Black Forest and The Longest Echo .

“An evocative, yet light-hearted WWII story . . . had me reading late into the night.”— Marion Kummerow , USA Today bestselling author of the War Girls Series

“Uplifting and unforgettable . . . This is a winner!” — Jana Petke n, multi-award-wining author of The German Half-Bloods

“This enthralling story will make you laugh and cry. A must read.” — Angela Christina Archer , author of The Promises Between Us Trilogy

Why Readers love this

“Spellbinding! This was fascinating from beginning to end & so inspiring to follow this woman thru her growth to become so strong. I am sure so many women can relate to her struggles with trying to do what was considered only a male job. My daughter went into law enforcement and met with the same problems. Thank you again for a good read.” — Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Interesting side of WWII not usually covered by fiction writers. Loved this book, Kang has a way of making you believe you are back in 1940's America. The bravery of the main character Vicky, took my breath away. Not only was she fighting the perceptions of the correct "woman's role" but she had to fight her parents to get away to join the services, racism on a lot of fronts and also the fact she was heartbroken over the loss of her twin. Highly recommended.” — Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fantastic Story . I loved this story, not only for the plot and historical research involved, by for the insight into the culture of those of Japanese descent,, including the Nisei who are Americans. The personal struggles of Vicky searching for her true self was as noteworthy as the history of Nisei WACs during World War Two. Great characters and a lot of suspense. A great read.” — Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction

440 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2021

Reviews

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call of Duty

An inspiring story of a young girl finding her own destiny in a direction very opposite from her traditional upbringing. Defying her parent's wishes and those of her fiancée to follow a call to duty which she feels she must take.

Vicky kondo is a dutiful daughter born to Japanese parents in Hawaii. She works at her father's church where he is the pastor and part time at the FBI. She has a fiancée and a wedding is being planned. Her parents are very happy and proud of her.

Then Pearl Harbor happens and her twin brother Vincent is lost in the battle. Her heart is broken and will not mend. When Colonel Carter gives Vicky the chance to join the Women's Army Corps or WAC's she knows that she must go and finish fighting the war that her brother Vincent was fighting in.

When she tells her parents they are horrified and disapprove. Her fiancée Taro breaks up with her and calls her bad names. The people at her church will not talk to her. No respectable girl would join the WAC's. Her only ally is her sister Hisa.

Leaving her family and fiancée behind Vicky join's the Army. This story is of her time in training and the people and friendships she makes. It is also about repairing her rift with her parents and family.

As an Nisei girl she has many conflicts as do many of her friends and others that are Nisei and serving in the Army. Many of them still harbor secret hard feelings toward the U.S. because of the way they were treated after Peal Harbor when those American's with Japanese ancestry were put into camps for a while after Pearl Harbor. Those Nisei that have joined the Army wish to prove their loyalty to America and show that they are willing to fight for their country.

I enjoyed the friendships that Vicky builds with the other WAC's and some of the male recruits. She always manages to do the right thing even when she is challenged with doing something not so right. She follows the rules and stays true to her faith.

The journey she takes awakes her to a life outside that which has been traditional and expected of her. She must gain courage to be her own person, to speak up for herself and to build her own life not what other's have built for her to follow.

learned much about the Nisei women and the Women's Army Corps which I did not know about before. It was an interesting part of history. I very much enjoyed the closing comments and explanations after the ending of the book and the definitions of terms before the book. It made it so much easier for me to understand the book and the part of history during that time and place. It is an excellent book and I really enjoyed reading it.

Thanks to Alexa Kang for writing such a great story and Lakewood Press for publishing it.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Story

I loved this story, not only for the plot and historical research involved, by for the insight into the culture of those of Japanese descent,, including the Nisei who are Americans. The personal struggles of Vicky searching for her true self was as noteworthy as the history of Nisei WACs during World War Two. Great characters and a lot of suspense. A great read.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A triumphant tale of a young woman's rise to the call of duty in her country's hour of need. A heroine's journey through faith, heartbreaks, and friendships to discover her voice and bring home victory.
Growing up on Oahu, Vicky Kondo never planned to stray from a woman's traditional path. A Nisei daughter of a Japanese pastor, she dutifully obeys her parents and puts others above herself. Engaged to a young man with a promising career, she is content to become the docile wife everyone expects her to be.
Her world shatters when Japan launches a devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. Her beloved twin brother, Vincent, a soldier serving in the Hawaiian National Guard, is killed defending his base. To honor his memory, Vicky makes the unimaginable choice. She enlists to serve.
Her decision appalls her family and fiancé. To them, a woman has no place in war or the army.
Can she overcome the prejudices of her time and serve her country?
What challenges ahead will she face if she dares to take a different path?

Following the Pearl Harbor attack, a Morale Section was established in Hawai'i on December 18, 1941, that created various subcommittees within different ethnic communities to promote racial unity. The formation of Morale Committees during the war indicate the underlying racial tensions in Hawai'i, as extensive efforts were made to mobilize the Japanese community as well as other ethnic groups in order to contribute to the overall war effort.
The purpose of the Morale Section was to serve as an intermediary between the Army and civilian community on matters related to public morale and to work toward the maintenance of a "unified and cooperative community." Under the Morale Section were several ethnic or national subcommittees that worked among their respective groups to disseminate military orders and alleviate any problems that arose.
The Emergency Service Committee was an organization comprised primarily of Nisei who sought to prove the loyalty of the Japanese community in Hawai'i during World War II. Following the Pearl Harbor attack and the institution of martial law , the Japanese in Hawai'i faced legal, social, and economic discrimination by the military and the constant questioning of their loyalty. The Japanese community in Hawai'i responded to the war with extensive efforts to mobilize and to contribute to the overall United States war effort. Members of this group worked as liaisons with the military on matters affecting the Japanese community and assured the military of the complete loyalty of the Japanese population. The Emergency Service Committee served an important purpose in deflecting anti-Japanese sentiment during the war.

Sand Island, formerly known as Quarantine Island, is a small island within the city of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. The island lies at the entrance to Honolulu Harbor. The island was known as Quarantine Island during the 19th century, when it was used to quarantine ships believed to carry contagious passengers.
During World War II, Sand Island was used as an Army internment camp to house Japanese Americans as well as expatriates from Germany, Italy, and other Axis countries living in Hawaii. The camp opened in December 1941, soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent mass arrests of civilians accused—often without evidence—of espionage or other fifth column activity. The Honouliuli Internment Camp, located near Waipahu on the island of Oahu, was Hawaiʻi's largest and longest-operating internment camp, opened in 1943 and closed in 1946. Of the seventeen sites that were associated with the history of internment in Hawaiʻi during World War II, the camp was the only one built specifically for prolonged detention.

The first Japanese language school of a fairly permanent nature was opened in Kula, Maui by a
Methodist minister in 1895. The third school was opened in Honolulu in 1896 by Rev. Okumura, also
a Christian, with the help of Hideo Kuwabara. This school became the Hawaii Chuo Gakuin, a
leading Japanese language school until the war
broke out in December, 1941. In the next four years Japanese language schools were opened one after another at various plantations and by 1900 there were eleven schools with 1,500 students.
119 new schools opened between 1900 and 1915. However, not all of the language schools established over this period remained in operation. Consequently, language teaching became a means to get parents interested in church activities. Many missionaries thus built language schools which they used as places to preach, and vice versa. The language school, was not only a way to attract the parents' interest, however; it was also an essential means of livelihood for the priest.

These language schools used standard textbooks from Japan issued by the Ministry of Education.
Subjects taught were reading, writing, composition, and shushin (ethics}, and some schools taught
abacus, history and geography in addition. The schools became the center of activities and
ceremonies for the Japanese population. On Japanese holidays, not only the adults but also the
children, absent for the day from their public schools, would gather and spend the whole day in
celebration. This led the public school authorities to question whether the Japanese language school
was making loyal Japanese nationals out of"American" children. An effort towards clarification
of the role of the Japanese language school in Hawaii ensued.

When the first language schools were built, one of the goals certainly was to educate children as
Japanese nationals who would eventually live in and continue education in Japan. Over the years,
however, the picture had changed. With annexation, the children became American citizens and many of the parents decided to make Hawaii their home. With such a change in the plans for the future, the language schools also needed to make changes. Leaders of the Japanese community who attended the first meeting of the Hawaii Kyoiku Kai tended to emphasize that children should be encouraged to become good American citizens, and should not be educated as Japanese nationals. The then Consul General Hachiro Arita, later to become Foreign Minister of Japan, took a strong stand on the position that language schools should only teach the Japanese language and should avoid subjects and topics that might create conflict in the
children's identity.

Many of the nisei soldiers who had learned Japanese by attending Japanese language schools were given additional training as interpreters. They served in the Pacific theater from the Aleutians to China, Burma, India, New Zealand and Australia. They went through battles in Guadalcanal, Munda, Tarawa, lwo Jima, Leyte and Okinawa. They intercepted enemy information, deciphered enemy codes, translated enemy documents, wrote propaganda material to be dropped on the enemy, and in Saipan, Guam, the Philippines and Okinawa they did the persuading of enemy soldiers and civilians to surrender. General Charles Willoughby, Chief of Staff of Intelligence is known to have said that the nisei shortened the war in the Pacific by 2 years.

Japanese American women faced a difficult choice when considering whether or not to enlist. They had to leave family behind, often behind the barbed wires of government incarceration camps. And the women often faced strong disapproval from their family and friends, as they were often seen as breaking traditional gender norms by enlisting in the military. But they were patriotic Americans who wanted to serve their country. Many had brothers and husbands serving in the military, and they jumped at the chance to help relieve and support servicemen. Other women joined to escape life in the incarceration camps. Many also sought the travel and adventure that joining the military could provide. For a variety of reasons, Japanese American women from both the mainland and Hawaii enlisted for duty. Through the end of WWII, 142 volunteered for the WAC.

After induction into the WAC, these women went through five weeks of basic training at one of five military training centers. Most went to either Fort Des Moines in Iowa or Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia. Unlike Japanese American men, they were not segregated. When basic training was complete, they received one of 155 different assignments, with the majority being clerical. 48 Japanese American WACS were assigned to the Military Intelligence Service Language School. They became translators for the Army, trained separately from the men and assigned non-combat roles in document translation. A few were even so successful that they were retained as teachers at the school. Most others were assigned to the Pacific Military Intelligence Research Section at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, where they did important work translating captured Japanese documents. The Section was later moved to the Central Document Center in Washington DC.

Camp Savage is the former site of the U.S. Military Intelligence Service language school operating during World War II. The school itself was established in San Francisco, but was moved in 1942 to Savage, Minnesota. The purpose of the school was to teach the Japanese language to military personnel and civilians involved in the war effort. This skill could then be used to interrogate prisoners of war, translate captured documents, serve as interpreters with Japanese civilians, and aid in the American war effort. The program was later moved to Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minnesota.

[Kristine Ohkubo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the last two novels in Alexa Kang's Nisei War Series in reverse order. The revival of the character Vicky Kondo in the third book, Why I Fight, sparked my interest in reading The Girl With A Star-Spangled Heart. Indeed, I am pleased that I did so, as the historical account of Japanese American military involvement in World War II is not exclusively limited to males.

The narrative of Vicky Kondo, the daughter of a Japanese minister, takes place on the serene islands of Hawaii. She intends to adhere to custom by marrying and establishing a family. Nevertheless, Vicky's life takes a dramatic change when her brother Vincent, who serves in the National Guards, loses his life while protecting the islands during the Pearl Harbor attack. This tragic event completely disrupts Vicky's life, leading her to defy traditional gender roles and join the military.

At the conclusion of the war, around 500 Japanese American women had actively served the United States in various capacities, including as members of the Women's Army Corps (WAC), Army Nurse Corps (ANC), and Cadet Nurse Corps (CNC).

Upon America's entry into World War II, the nation was compelled to mobilize substantial military forces on both the Atlantic and Pacific fronts. The outcome entailed a deficiency of personnel, necessitating the military to enlist women for essential assistance. Servicewomen assumed various duties in the military such as clerks, typists, cooks, drivers, and unit cadre, so enabling males to be sent in frontline combat positions.

The Women's Army Corps (WAC) was the women's branch of the United States Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) on May 15, 1942, and converted to an active duty status in the Army of the United States as the WAC on July 1, 1943. The ANC began accepting Japanese American women in February 1943, while the WAC began enlisting them in September of that same year.

Japanese American women encountered a challenging decision when contemplating whether or not to join the military. They were compelled to abandon their family members, frequently leaving them imprisoned within the confines of government detention centers surrounded by barbed wire. They frequently encountered significant opposition from their family and friends due to their perceived defiance of conventional gender norms by joining the military.

The 150,000 American women who ultimately served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II were also targeted by a malicious defamation campaign within the United States. No girl of high esteem would enlist in the Women's Army Corps. A significant number of soldiers vehemently objected to the inclusion of women in the military, cautioning their female relatives and acquaintances that they would be perceived as either lesbians or promiscuous individuals.

Despite this, many of the Japanese American women had brothers and husbands in the Army, and they jumped at the chance to help relieve and support military men. Other women joined to escape life in the incarceration camps. Many also sought the travel and adventure that joining the military could provide. For a variety of reasons, Japanese American women from both the mainland and Hawaii enlisted for duty.

By taking this action, Vicky Kondo developed the fortitude to assert her individuality, advocate for herself, and construct her own path rather than conforming to the expectations set by others.

Once more, this meticulously researched piece of literature imbues historical fiction with a sense of authenticity. This novel is enlightening and I recommend it.

[Katinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vicky Kondo is a Japanese-American in Hawaii. She’s engaged to a man named Taro, another Japanese-American, and though not certain she's really ready to marry him, he's more than ready and wanting to set a wedding date. Time has passed since the fateful day when the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, but it seems that there are even more changes coming in her future.

The Army is looking for Japanese-American women to Join the WAC (Women’s Army Corps) and help with the war effort, but most aren't willing to go against the traditional views among Japanese families that women should be married & not in the army. The army is for men, and any woman wanting to be part of the WAC must be immodest & not someone who would ever make a suitable japanese wife. So what happens when Vicky first begins not only to consider it, but decides to actually join up?

I really enjoyed reading this story. It was clearly very well researched and as accurate as any historical fiction book can possibly be. Vicky's story was one that grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. It covered all the questions, problems, and emotions that she would have had to deal with as a young Japanese-American woman during WWII, both before and after she decided to join the WAC.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, WWII stories, or simply someone who wants to know more about what women joining the WAC had to face, whether of Asian descent or not. This was a very good book and the author's notes at the end are certainly something you won't want to miss reading either.

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts in 1944 and goes into how Vicky, a Japanese American, saw the attack on Pearl Harbor and felt her brother die. It goes into how martial law was declared and how people who were of Japanese descent got rid of everything Japanese they had to avoid problems.

(One thing to point out: the situation in Hawaii in relation to Japanese Americans was much different than in the continental United States. Persons of Japanese Ancestry made up a major portion of the workers on the islands. Locking them all up or deporting them all would have crippled the island's economy. The military declared martial law right off and this, plus other measures, led to a much fairer and well-ordered handling of PJAs then on the continent.)

Anyhow, the fiction story goes on to how in 1943 PJAs could joint the Women's Army Corps so she applies and is accepted. Her fiancee at the time totally opposes her doing this and it's bye-bye possible marriage.

A reporter wants her to write for his newspaper. (The story uses 'concentration camps' for the internment camps and also notes that on the bus she traveled on blacks had to sit at the back.)

The story moves on through her training, her friends, her promotions, the end of the war in Europe and other things she experienced.

It's a neat book examining the story of a women who worked hard for her country despite strong prejudice against her.

[Roger Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a young lady from Oahu who discards the confining chains of her Japanese-American society. She enlists in the WAC to honor her brother's service connected death on Pearl Harbor Day and to discover what the world has to offer in her quest for emotional freedom and maturity. As expected, Alexa Kang comes thru with meticulous research and descriptions of events that put you "there." Another must read.

Roger Williams, Hawaii

[Sherry Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexa Kang is one of my favorite authors. I love how she mixes fiction with historical people and events. This is the second in a great series about the Nisei serving in WW2. This novel centers around a lovable character Vicki. Vicki's brother had been stationed at Pearl Harbor and was killed when the Japanese attacked. Vicki wanted to avenge her brothers death and do her part for the U.S. In spite of opposition from her fiancé and her parents, she joins the WACS. I learned many new things about the WACS and other information relating to a major ship that was sunk, and a spy. This is a very educational and entertaining book filled with great characters. I am looking forward to reading more in Nisei War#3.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book in the series. This one is about a young Nisei girl in Hawaii who comes of age when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Her beloved brother does but she joins the WAC to do her part in the war effort. There is a nice tie-in with a character from book one in the series, and that story will
Continue when the third book comes out

[Rachel Wesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book even more than the first in the series. Vicky is a true hero, faults and all. She had to beat the idea of a "perfect" daughter, "perfect" wife and break into her own stride as she fought to do her bit for her country. Alexa finds ways to tell you the stories of these less well known areas of wwII. Highly recommended.

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth your time.

An interesting story about a subject we really have never been exposed to. Very thought provoking in that it shows a side to WW2 that most people never imagined existed.
I have read several series by this author and recommend them to people who love to read.

[ann betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girl with a star spangled heart

An interesting book about the first generation Japanese in the US. There were interesting bits about the customs found in Japanese culture toward women. And also toward women .

[Dennis Yard · Rating 5 out of 5]

inciteful

I’ve not known many who served in WWII and soon those soldiers and the people who knew them will all be gone. I feel like by reading this, I learned a little bit of what went on then. Really interesting to see it from the viewpoint of a second generation Japanese woman.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh

It’s not bad for a Young Adult historical romance, but the title is awkward and the heroine is very naive.