Gina the Bonsai Girl: Texas Daughter of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Once Upon a Time in the Texas Panhandle, Book 7

By: Larry Nicholl

Narrated by: James Huff

The Japanese Americans who served in World War II were members of “The Greatest Generation.” In total, 14,000 men served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the U.S. Army’s all-Japanese American unit that fought in Europe. They earned 9,486 Purple Hearts. Twenty-one of their members were awarded Medals of Honor. Yet, when they returned home, they were met with "No Japs Wanted" signs.

My novel tries to understand why that was and shows the long-term consequences for Japanese American families from wartime hysteria.

This novel tells two love stories. A single mother finds love again after a decade as a war widow. Her 12-year-old daughter falls in love for the first time. The mother, Regina Walker, was married to Tim Umezawa, who died in Italy while serving in the 442nd. In 1954, she returned to Texas from California with her daughter, Gina, who is half-Japanese. Gina faces prejudice against persons of Japanese descent.

©2021 Larry Nicholl (P)2026 Jim Huff