The Story of Lucy, Mascot Pup of the 442nd RCT Medics

Written by Stacey Hayashi. Illustrated by Willie Ito. 

The  100th Infantry, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was the most highly  decorated unit in US military history for its size and time in combat.  The 100th/442nd were AJA, as we say in Hawaii -- Americans of Japanese  Ancestry. It's an inspiring true story of overcoming racism and  adversity in a difficult time for our nation, and what it means to be an  American.

The 442nd's 3rd Battalion medics adopted a puppy in  Luciana, a war-torn town in Italy, in July 1944.  442nd veteran Eddie  Yamasaki took many photos of her. She was paid for with candy (some kids  owned her and a deal was negotiated), fed with an eyedropper, and even  had her own dogtags. They named her Lucy (short for Luciana), and she became their mascot. All the medics adored her and she went all over  Europe with them, providing immeasurable comfort and joy for those who  saw the worst of what happens to soldiers in combat. After the war  ended, medic Howard Kozuma brought her back to Hawaii.

Paper: 44 pp.

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