‘Unbroken Honor’ on Valley PBS Explores Nisei War Heroes

They were interred in concentration camps, for no reason other than their nationality.

But, when asked to serve their jailer in war, they said yes.

A new documentary airing on Valley PBS (ch. 18) “tells the stories of the Japanese-American experience in WWII and how the young men incarcerated illegally after the Pearl Harbor attack would become some of America’s greatest war heroes,” producer/station CEO Jeff Aiello said.

“Unbroken Honor” airs Sunday, Feb. 19 — Japanese Remembrance Day — at 5 p.m.

The one-hour film covers legendary battles and triumphs of the Japanese-American soldiers, including the rescue of the Lost Battalion in the mountains of France, and the “ambush” of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.

Aiello traveled to France, and American concentration camps, filming interviews with those who fought in the battles, and their children.

Also in the works from Aiello is a documentary on 100 years of KMJ radio, which signed on in 1922. That should debut in March or April, Aiello said.

Young Rodriguez: A Second Generation Reporter

At 23, Rhett Rodriguez may be the youngest TV reporter in Fresno.

Rhett started a few months ago on-air at KSEE-24/CBS 47 after working at the stations’ digital department.

And, yes, Rhett is the son of veteran Fresno TV anchor Rich Rodriguez. The elder can be seen anchoring and reporting on KMPH Fox 26.

Years ago, I produced Rich’s weekend agriculture-based radio show on Power Talk 96.7. Often, young Rhett would tag along to learn the ropes. Now, he is reporting the stories.