The Nisei 442nd Regiment's infamous "Battle of the Lost Battalion," which took place in October 1944, was its bloodiest encounter of WWII . After four days and nights of continuous combat, the Nisei finally reached some 200 American soldiers who had been surrounded by the enemy. But the 442nd paid a bloody price. At the end of the battle, one 200-man company had only eight men able to fight, while another had but fourteen. The battle superbly illustrates lessons in military strategy and the singular human will to survive.

At the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), most of our exposure to the story of the Lost Battalion has centered on the Nisei soldiers' sacrifices, but on April 18, writer and photographer Tom Graves will bring to JAMsj the rare opportunity to hear three different perspectives about the battle from the rescuers, the rescued, and even the enemy.

Local veterans Al Tortolano, one of the few remaining survivors of the Lost Battalion, and Lawson Sakai, one of the Nisei rescuers, will describe their own experiences. They will be joined by expert Franz Steidl, author of Lost Battalions , who interviewed both American and German veterans of the battle. Graves, will moderate the distinguished panel.

Cost: Free with admission to the museum (nonmembers, $5; students and seniors over age 65, $3; JAMsj members and children under 12, free).
Contact PublicPrograms@jamsj.org or call (408) 294-3138 to reserve a spot.