Purple Heart Warriors: 1. Memorial day
27:01 Share

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

Hello, Simon Jack here from Good Bad Billionaire, the podcast from the BBC World Service, exploring the minds, the motives and the money of some of the world's richest individuals. Did you know there's an easy way to get new episodes automatically? Whether it's Good Bad Billionaire or any of your other favourite BBC World Service podcasts, find the show on your podcast app and then just click follow or subscribe. And if you switch on notifications, you'll get a reminder too. It's that easy. Follow or subscribe now.

and never miss an episode. At Jiffy Lube, we car about cars. In fact, we're kind of obsessed. That's why we've been taking car business with quick quality oil changes and service for over 40 years. And with things like our carful vehicle review, where our experts will check, fill, clean, and inspect your vehicle, you'll know we'll car for your car like we car for our own.

Jiffy Lube. Carmore. Visit JiffyLubeDC.com to find a Jiffy Lube service centre near you. If you can't wait for new episodes of this podcast and you're in the UK, the whole series is available now, first on BBC Sounds.

Before we start, a warning that some episodes in this series contain dramatized battle scenes and outdated racial language. This is Purple Heart Warriors, an original six-part drama series inspired by real events from the BBC World Service. Episode 1: Memorial Day. During the Second World War, the American military deployed several segregated units separating white from non-white soldiers.

One of these units was the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, comprised of Nisei's, or second-generation Japanese Americans.

Considered the most decorated unit in history for its size and length of service, they earned over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 21 Medals of Honor, seven Presidential Unit Citations, and numerous other distinctions. Perhaps most surprising is that they fought for a country that had declared Japanese Americans as enemy aliens and potential threats to security, sending their families to incarceration camps with armed guards and barbed wire fences.

We begin in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles in 2024. You Ken Marioka? That's me. You ordered the new shop sign? Yep. Just need your signature here. Tony! Okay for the lift! It was a new day in Little Tokyo. A little chunk of asphalt in downtown Los Angeles, sandwiched between the drug addict and homeless haven of Skid Row and the 101 freeway.

For years, I'd been running my grandfather's store, Sayaka Sweets Shop, just the way he had. I've lived here my whole life and had seen the area morph from seedy to shiny and hip to post-COVID slightly faded. But I hadn't changed at all. I was still selling the same traditional sweets to the same tired clientele. And now the old customers were dying out and the COVID years brought anti-Asian tweets and hate crimes.

People started vandalizing temples and ripping off limbs from cherry trees. Yeah, literally effing ripping off limbs from cherry trees. Go back to your home country, all you Asians! This is my home country, you brain-dead Nazi. It was time for a change. Mr. Marioka, does this look okay to you? Uh...

Go nuts donuts. Looks great. Hey, what happened to that store that used to be here forever? You know, the Japanese cake shop? Same owner, just different product. Trying something new. I hear you. Shame, though. Almost done here. Just hooking up the electricity. Grandpa used to make mochi cakes. Glutinous rice flour pounded into a gooey dough filled with sweetened bean paste. It took years of training to master the pastiche of mochi varieties called wagashi.

It's not that I didn't enjoy crafting the mochi, but I was catering to a limited audience. A customer base that was slowly disappearing and I was ready to move on. Ken! Oh, thank god you're still here. What's going on out there? Did you get bought out? No, I'm selling donuts now instead of mochi. Hold on. Now let me turn off my hearing aid. Sounded like you said you're selling donuts instead of mochi. Okay, say that again?

That's right, Mr. Yamada. I'm turning the store into a donut shop. What? You can't turn Sayaka into a donut shop. Where am I going to get my dorayaki and daifuku? And you know, we order a box of sakura mochi every year. You can buy mochi at the Japanese grocery stores. Your Chi-chan must be rolling in his grave to see this. He worked really hard to get this store going, especially coming back from fighting the war. Ah, the war. Hey, you should be grateful.

I was born in the camps, you know. Oh, I didn't know that. I just heard Mrs. Tanaka say she's thinking of selling her restaurant too. It's going to be sad if the old guard leaves. It's not like I'm throwing away the store, just updating the product. Here, have a sample. On the house, Mr. Yamada. Maybe the grandkids will eat it. But do me a favor, Ken, and lay some flowers on your Jichan's grave on Memorial Day. I will. I mean, I was going to do that anyway.

Mr. Marioka, we're done. Wanna take a look and sign off? Pun intended. Yeah, I like it. Out of the past and into the future. Was it supposed to rain today? Here lies Alan Marioka, member of I Company, 442nd Regiment. Didn't know your grandfather was in the service. It was an all-Japanese-American regiment. I had no idea there was such a thing. Don't think a lot of people knew about it. Happy Memorial Day, Ji-chan.

Got you a nice bouquet, like Bacchan used to. You must have really loved your grandfather. Love is a strong word. Didn't you tell me that your grandparents raised you? And you're here now, visiting his grave. Only because I don't want to get a bachi. A bachi? A curse. It got grilled into me. If you're bad, you'll get a bachi. You used to scare the bejesus out of me. If I was caught watching TV when I was supposed to be doing my homework...

You're gonna get a bachi. Then if the slightest thing happened, like tripping on the sidewalk, see, Kenichi? Bachi. In other words, karma. Mm-hmm. Worked better than punishment. It's not like I didn't appreciate my grandparents. They took care of me, and Ji-chan told the most kick-ass bedtime stories. I don't even know where he came up with them, because he wasn't reading from a book or anything. But Ji-chan was a pretty hardcore guy.

You know what he would say to me if some bully pushed me down on the ground? Get up. Get up, sonny boy. But he pushed me. It's not fair. Yeah, yeah, life's not fair. Get up. Ji-chan enrolled me in kendo. Don't you know how to use your stick? Forward! Forward! And judo. Watch your form! When I got older, we hardly spoke to each other.

Bacchan said that I didn't understand him. He was a hard man because he lost so much. He had a buddy in the war. I think his name was Soneo. He didn't make it out alive. That must have been tough. I get it. But the war's over. It's in the past. But it sounds like you're the one who's still bitter. Yeah. I feel like he still got such a hold on me. How's that? Sayaka Sweet Shop. That was never my dream. But now it's Go Nuts Donuts.

Signed it up today, right? Yeah. Yeah. But somehow I get the feeling that I'm betraying people. Well, I may be a white girl from Connecticut, but even I know that Sayaka was an institution. But I don't want to run an institution. It was my grandfather's idea, not mine. So are you running from the store or your grandfather? Oh, look, Ji-chan. You've turned my own girlfriend against me. Damn you. Yeah.

Well, let's head back to the car. People have short memories. Mr. Yamada will stop hassling me about changing it into a donut shop, and everyone will forget what was even there before. It's just a shame. That's all. That's odd. What? The hotel. It's gone. What hotel? Are you kidding me? The Miyako Hotel. Did they just raze the hotel in the time we were gone? I don't remember the hotel.

Always been an empty lot as far as I remember. But it was there this morning. I doubt they could have razed a whole hotel and have grass sprout up in the time we were gone. Strange. Are you alright? I... I think I just need to take a nap. Call me tomorrow, okay? Okay. Don't make fun of other people. You're gonna get a bachi. If you don't listen to your grandma, you're going to get a bachi. If you touch that cake, kid, you're gonna get a bachi. What the hell is happening?

Good morning, Ken. Good morning, Mrs. Tanaka. Strange weather. With the thunder? No, it's not raining. It's... Oh, holy crap. What's the matter? The... the museum. It's gone. Museum? What museum? JANM. The Japanese American National Museum. They built a new museum? No, it's always been right there. Where that parking lot is. Right...

Right there. There were steps in a modern building with glass windows, and there was that cue bar thing. Come on. That's always been a parking lot, but a museum would be nice. This is crazy. How can you not remember? What are you saying, Ken? I might look old, but my mind is still sharp. I'm sorry, Mrs. Taraka. Better go open up shop. Yes, you do that. Aspirin. Aspirin. Where did I put that bottle?

We're not open yet! Oh, Mr. Okimura. Good morning, Mr. Okimura. Not open yet. Oh, thank God you're still here, Ken. Well, uh... I saw the new sign and got so worried. I thought I wouldn't be able to buy my sakura mochi anymore. Come on in. Come in. Have a seat. Oh, you have chairs now. You remember the museum, don't you, Mr. Okimura? Which one? Old Getty? Mocha? No, the Janum. The Janum...

What's that? How can you not... There's the thunder again. Look! Mrs. Tanaka's restaurant, Ichiban Ramen! It's gone! Did you see that? Did you see it dis... Mr. Okimura? Hello? Wha... Where'd you... What... Okay, deep breaths. Someone else has got to know what's going on. Hey, Ken. Is anything strange happening to you two? Meaning? You know how the hotel disappeared yesterday?

Well, this morning the museum was gone. The whole freaking thing became a parking lot overnight. And now the ramen store! Am I hallucinating? Hold on, hold on. You're not making any sense. Which museum? What ramen store? And Mr. Okimura! He's just disappeared! What are you talking about? Just vanished? Oh no. I think it's happening again. Hello?

I'm here! Is anybody there? Can't you hear me? Call 911! Hello? That's odd.

What happened? Where am I? I know what you mean, buddy. This place is a swamp. Aw, look at this, boys. I got us some rice from the mess hall. Mess hall? Yeah, I think we can make musubi out of this. That's American rice. Too long and fluffy. We need the short grain rice to make musubis. Don't think you're gonna find that in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. We're in Mississippi? I sure miss Mom's musubis. Cabchopi's better in Manzanar, but food here's a different thing altogether. It'll be worse when we get to the front. The front?

What's going on here? Where's my cell phone? What's the matter with you, Morioka? And what do you need cellophane for? Is this some kind of war reenactment? What year is it supposed to be? Ah, he must have conked his head on the pavement in a bar brawl or something. He makes about as much sense as my Auntie Keiko. She's got dementia. Did you really forget it was 1943? 1943!

This is a joke, right? I'll say it's a joke. Fighting for a country that put us in prison as enemies of the state. Alan, let me see if you've got any bumps. I don't see anything. Why do you keep calling me Alan? My name is Ken. Ken sure is a funny nickname for someone who's got Alan stitched all over his clothes. What? Maybe I was dreaming. Maybe I was in some kind of psychology experiment with a bunch of really good actors.

Or maybe it was a bachi from my old Jichan. But somehow, I had been placed in a camp full of Japanese Americans wearing old-time uniforms. I looked down and saw that I was wearing the same uniform and sure enough, on the front pocket was the name "Alan". But the thing that really got me was when I took a look in a mirror mounted on the wall of the hut. It wasn't my face reflecting back at me but the mug of my grandfather, Alan. Not the old Jichan version that I remembered.

but a young, simple-faced teenager. Hello? Is that my alarm? Hey, whose cell phone is that? Again with the cellophane. Am I still in 1943? What year would you rather be? 1941? Pearl Harbor? No. No! I want to be back in my time, in my apartment, watching streamers or playing video games. Streamers like ticker tape?

Why would you want to watch that? And what are video games? Shorty, you know these slang words? I'm from Seattle. I don't understand what he's saying. Sounds like Little Green Men talk to me. Ask Barry. He's from Los Angeles. I don't understand him either. I'm not supposed to be here. This is just a dream or a bocce. Maybe this is my grandfather's way of teaching me a lesson.

You know, the whole walk in my shoes sort of thing. So your grandfather made you sign up? Did he fight in World War I? I don't think there were a lot of us back then, but I heard of those company defo. He's got my respect. No, he's me, or I'm him, or... Okay, I know this sounds crazy, but I'm from the future. And I'm Shirley Temple.

If you're from the future, can you predict what's going to happen? Yes. I know the Allies will win the war. Well, of course we're going to win the war. But did you know I was going to do... this? Ow! Why'd you flick my nose?

Guess not. Up and at'o, boys! Head out for assembly! We got top brass visiting today, so I expect your uniforms to be as clean as a whistle, and you will stand at attention as straight as that flagpole out there! Understand? Yes, sir! Fall in! Attention! Colonel Pence will now address you. Colonel Pence, sir. Good morning, men.

I know you've all come here as volunteers to serve your country, and I personally commend you for your sense of duty. Everybody here volunteered? But let me tell you that nobody, and I mean nobody, thought it was a good idea to allow Nisei recruits into the war effort. Those damn Japs can't be trusted, they said.

There are no loyal Japs other than to other Japs, they said. Once a Jap, always a Jap, they said. Why, my desk is piled up to my neck with all the protest letters about allowing you men to enlist in the war effort. Isn't that right, Sergeant? Yes, Colonel. So let me just ask this question.

Were they right? No, sir! I can't hear you! No, sir! Are you men capable of proving those naysayers wrong? Yes, sir! Are you just as courageous and patriotic as any other American? Yes, sir! It is a privilege and an honor to serve your country, so I sure as hell hope so. Carry on, Sergeant. Thank you, Colonel Pence, sir. Now...

All you men drop down and give me 50 push-ups. Yes, sir! Count it out. One, two, three. I think I saw this in a movie before. Loxie Blues? You there, soldier! Why are you not on the floor? What's your name? Ken Morioka. But I'm not supposed to be here. This is just a figment of my imagination. Sir, Morioka must have fallen and hit his head on the floor and...

He's been acting strange since yesterday, sir. Did I ask you to speak, soldier? No, sir. An extra 50 push-ups for you, and you, Morioka, when I speak, the only thing you're allowed to say back to me are yes, drill sergeant, and no, drill sergeant. Now, I just happen to have something in my back pocket.

Do you know what this is? Yes, Drill Sergeant. What is it, soldier? Yes, Drill Sergeant. Am I allowed to say scissors, Drill Sergeant? Yes.

It's your lucky day, Morioka, because I'm going to relieve you from push-ups. Though I have an extra special task for you so you can figure out for yourself whether this is real or imaginary. You see this grass field here? Yes, Drill Sergeant? I think it needs some trimming, and I think you're the perfect man to do it. So, here you go.

39! You want me to- What did I just finish saying about how you are to talk to me? Yes, Drill Sergeant! 42! 43! 44! Okay, I get it, Ji-chan. This is a curse, and you're trying to show me misery until I apologize. So, I'm sorry, Ji-chan. Just let me wake up already.

I got first tips on showers. I'm used to working in the fields of Seattle, but five miles of galloping through this humidity is something else. Still better than cutting grass with scissors. I don't think I can move my fingers anymore. Did you see how he just happened to have that pair of scissors on him? He must have been planning on doling out that punishment from the moment he got up. You haven't learned the golden rule here. Keep your trap shut.

I'm gonna wake up soon from this bocce dream and I'll be done with the rules. You sure you don't want to have a medic take a look at you? Boys, looks like our new bunkmates have arrived. It's so hot here! That house is as big as a tree. Oh, they got people here already. Aloha, bunkmates. I'm from Maui. They call me Lui Nui, because Nui means big. And my first name Richie. So I'm kind of like Louie.

This here is sunny. Aloha. Hey, this place is like one onsen, eh? Hot and steamy. I think I need an interpreter to live in this barrack. And this is Kuna. Kuna, show him some aloha. Aloha, alohai, alohi, alohai. We are Hawaii Dreamin'.

And the sun is beaming on Honolulu Bay. I'm Jiro from Seattle. We call him Shorty for obvious reasons. Yukihiro, but they call me Barry. Because of his baritone voice. Kazuha Ota. They just call me Ota. From California. I'm Ken, even though it says Alan on my lapel. And I'm trapped in my grandfather's body from when he served in the war. What'd he say?

Yeah, like I said, I need an interpreter. He's got some weird Los Angeles lingo. He's been going on about how his grandfather, also named Alan, served in World War I or something like that. Nobody understands what he says. You mainlanders, real funny, huh? You a loco head. What's loco head? Loco mean crazy in pidgin. You know I'm standing right here, right? I can hear everything you're saying. Just use his last name, Morioka.

Loco Moco. That should be his nickname. You're going to give me a nickname after a breakfast dish? A breakfast dish. I thought you said you were from Hawaii. Hamburger meat on white rice topped with an egg and delicious gravy? Maybe it hasn't been invented yet. That sounds delicious. Trust me, it's going to be big in Hawaii someday. Hey, Sonny. This must be your uniform. Get your name on it. Soneo. Soneo?

Is your name Sonaya? I got too many syllables. Go by Sonny. Sonny, you're Grandpa Allen's friend. I think you get the wrong guy. Never been mainland before. Pretty sure I never met your G-chan. I feel a hula coming. Sonny gonna dance! Aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha, aloha

Already missing the days of peace and quiet. Yeah, mark my words, these islanders are going to be the death of us. Soneo Hiramatsu.

I couldn't explain how I got stuck in the past, but I started to wonder if I was put there for a reason. And maybe, just maybe, Soneo was the key to getting out. And the birds are singing as we paddle away. All right.

Next time, the recruits visit a Japanese-American incarceration camp. That barbed wire. Oh, and look up there. A guard's holding a rifle? So you finally got the point. This has been Episode 1 of 6 of Purple Heart Warriors with Aki Kotabe and Will Sharp. Written by Iris Yamashita. Directed by Jessica Dromgoole. Produced by Catherine Bailey. And is a Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service.

Thanks for listening to Dramas, the home of original drama from the BBC World Service. If you're enjoying Purple Heart Warriors, you can also listen to our previous series, Fukushima. Make sure you follow or subscribe to Dramas so you never miss an episode.

Hello, Simon Jack here from Good Bad Billionaire, the podcast from the BBC World Service, exploring the minds, the motives and the money of some of the world's richest individuals. Did you know there's an easy way to get new episodes automatically? Whether it's Good Bad Billionaire or any of your other favourite BBC World Service podcasts, find the show on your podcast app and then just click follow or subscribe. And if you switch on notifications, you'll get a reminder too. It's that easy. Follow or subscribe now.

and never miss an episode.