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Ross Fujitani with his wife, Mildred. Family photo courtesy of Janine Tsakanikas.
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Buried on the Battlefield - Signed Copies
Many people have asked where they can purchase signed copies of my book, "Buried on the Battlefield." Starting today, signed copies of my hardcover book are available through my web site.
Every day, I am receiving notes of thanks about the book. I want to thank you again for your support and for keeping these stories alive.
“The War Dead Return”
This is the forgotten story of the American World War II dead. Told from personal family letters, official documents, contemporary magazine and newspaper articles, historical research, and previously unpublished photographs, this is the first book to fully describe the return of the valiant dead to America after World War II, in tribute to those who gave their lives, as well as to those who mercifully brought them home.
Few people know that the United States was the only nation to bring home our war dead after World War II. The bodies of America’s fallen were removed from foreign graves across the globe, often years after they died. More than 280,000 were recovered, leaving that number of American families with an agonizing choice: return their beloved sons to the homeland, or let them rest in military cemeteries overseas in the countries they died to liberate.
Some of our allies were strongly against the idea, fearing their citizens’ reactions to not being able to bring home their own sons. But it was done because American families demanded it: not as a collective, organized effort, but one family – one father, mother, widow, or sibling – at a time.
To honor their sacrifice,
~ Bill
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About the photo: The story of 2nd Lt. Ross Fujitani, detailed in Chapter 15 of "Buried on the Battlefield," is the only file out of more than two thousand that I have come across where the family elected to have their son's remains returned to a foreign country for burial in a private cemetery. I feel a particular attachment to Ross Fujitani, a Japanese-American soldier whose bravery and patriotism are amplified by the extreme prejudice that he and his 100th Infantry comrades (and their families) faced during World War II. Ross was a true American hero.
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