JAPANESE AMERICANS (1945)

This film chronicles the heroic service of Nisei Soldiers of the 442nd Infantry Regiment in the Italian Campaign. Racism was pervasive in the 1940s and daily Civilian life was racially segregated as were all Military Units. African-Americans fought in Black Units and Asian-Americans fought in Asian Units, and the White Guys fought in White Guy Units. Ugly racial incidents had occurred on military bases throughout the country. The Services, themselves, were not officially desegregated until the end of the decade, when, in 1948, President Truman issued the Executive Order. The Matinee at the Bijou sequel series is coming soon to public television in HD and hosted by the great Debbie Reynolds: Visit the Bijou blog: http://matineeatthebijou.blogspot.com