Honor, Courage, Commitment

Chapter 1: Why Am I Being Punished?

//Hey guys, sorry for the inactivity but now I'm back and with another WW2 story. I'll try my hardest to update my other WW2 story when I can but for now here's a new one that takes place on the other side of the world. Enjoy!//

December 7, 1941, San Diego, California

It all started out like any other day, the sun was out, birds chirping, not a cloud in a sky. Just an ordinary morning for Seaman First Class Sadao Mizutani. Suddenly, he and other men on base were called into formation where they were told that there was an attack at the U.S. Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and that the Pacific Fleet was badly damaged. It was revealed to the men that this attack was carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy and that this was an act of war. All men were told to stay alert considering the location of the base.

Right when all men were dismissed, Members of the Navy's Master at Arms (Military Police) came and handcuffed Sadao, taking him away and throwing him in the brig. "Hey! What's the big idea!?" Sadao yelled "What the hell did I do!?" He said "Shut it Jap!" Yelled one of the men as Sadao was thrown into a cell. "I don't understand why you're doing this, I'm innocent!"

December 14, 1941

Today was Sadao's court hearing and once he brought front and center, the judge announced. "Seaman First Class Sadao Mizutani, you are here under speculation of treason against the United States Navy and the rest of the United States Armed Forces! Your plea?" He yelled. "Not guilty! Your honor, you must understand that I didn't do anything! Yes I'm Japanese but I'm not with them. I've spent a year in a half serving as an engineer in this Navy and I'm not just going to betray it. I joined this military for a reason and that is because the United States is my home! The U.S.! Not Japan! If I have to be sent to war the god damnit send me to war, as long as I'm fighting against the Japanese and alongside my true brothers!"

"Mr. Mizutani, you do make a good argument but it is not your decision on wether the jury finds you guilty or not. Now then, the jury will decide wether to find Seaman First Class Mizutani guilty or not guilty, but it may take time. So for now everyone is dismissed until further notice." Announced the judge, a seemingly middle aged Captain

Later that day, everyone was called back into the courtroom when a member of the jury announced "Under the Department of the Navy, we the jury find Seaman First Class Sadao Mizutani NOT guilty of treason against the United States of America, but believe that Mizutani should receive a demotion in rank as a reminder of what Japanese people like him are responsible for." "Very well." The judge said, "While that is basically saying that he IS guilty, I have no choice but to demote you to Seaman Second Class AND your true punishment will be to be sent to Pearl Harbor to help salvage wreckage of sunken ships as a reminder of what you are being punished for. But hey it could've been worse, could've been a dishonorable discharge"

Sadao, while upset, accepted the punishment and, two days later, was sent to Pearl Harbor to help salvage any wreckage, having to deal with harassment from other sailors almost constantly. But it didn't faze him in the slightest, he knew he was being punished all because of his nationality but at least he knew the truth, that he did nothing wrong. Sadao and the rest of his sailors would always stand at attention when a dead body was recovered from the water, which happened more often than any man would like. This was when Sadao knew that he wanted to fight, to avenge those killed at Pearl Harbor.

Not to show that he's not bad, but because these men had families and were killed with no good explanation at all. This was only the beginning of Sadaos's journey.