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Delivery Man: The Enemy-Alien Nisei Translator Who Saved his Battalion
The American battalion was trapped, under siege and under fire, and one man was their best, last hope.
Delivery The Enemy-Alien Nisei Translator Who Saved His Battalion in World War II is the suspenseful, tragic and true story of a combat translator in a pioneering American special operations force, sent into the heart of a forgotten jungle war in which he fought soldiers of his own ancestry and put his life on the line to save hundreds of his brothers.
U.S. Army Sgt. Roy Matsumoto was born in Los Angeles and lived for seven years in Hiroshima. His family remained in Japan in 1929, when he returned to Southern California alone and took a job delivering groceries. Like all Japanese-Americans, Roy’s life was upended by Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, followed by his internment by his own country – first at the Los Angeles horse-racing track on which Sea Biscuit had triumphed two years before, and then at another concentration camp in Arkansas.
In exchange for his freedom, Roy volunteered to join the U.S. Army, which trained him and sent him into northern Burma. That’s where the American commando force known as Merrill’s Marauders braved a malarial jungle to engage a tenacious enemy force on a winning streak.
Though contact with his family in Japan would be impossible for the duration of the war, Roy took comfort that their home city of Hiroshima, sheltered by an inland sea, was considered relatively safe from attack.
Delivery The Enemy-Alien Nisei Translator Who Saved His Battalion in World War II is the suspenseful, tragic and true story of a combat translator in a pioneering American special operations force, sent into the heart of a forgotten jungle war in which he fought soldiers of his own ancestry and put his life on the line to save hundreds of his brothers.
U.S. Army Sgt. Roy Matsumoto was born in Los Angeles and lived for seven years in Hiroshima. His family remained in Japan in 1929, when he returned to Southern California alone and took a job delivering groceries. Like all Japanese-Americans, Roy’s life was upended by Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, followed by his internment by his own country – first at the Los Angeles horse-racing track on which Sea Biscuit had triumphed two years before, and then at another concentration camp in Arkansas.
In exchange for his freedom, Roy volunteered to join the U.S. Army, which trained him and sent him into northern Burma. That’s where the American commando force known as Merrill’s Marauders braved a malarial jungle to engage a tenacious enemy force on a winning streak.
Though contact with his family in Japan would be impossible for the duration of the war, Roy took comfort that their home city of Hiroshima, sheltered by an inland sea, was considered relatively safe from attack.
376 pages, Hardcover
Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 7, 2025
What makes 'Delivery Man' stand out is its profound emotional resonance. Roy Matsumoto’s life is marked by extraordinary challenges: internment in America, separation from his family, and the moral complexities of fighting soldiers of his own ancestry. Rory Laverty captures these emotional landscapes with incredible empathy, showing not just the physical dangers of war but the ethical and emotional dilemmas faced by those who live through it. Each chapter is a meditation on courage, identity, and humanity under pressure. I found myself reflecting on how loyalty, fear, and compassion intertwine, and how one man’s actions can save hundreds of lives. The book is gripping, but it is also deeply moving, making it impossible to read without feeling a personal connection to Roy’s journey. 'Delivery Man' is a story that lingers in your mind, a reminder of the sacrifices made by unsung heroes, and an exploration of what it means to truly serve others. For anyone who appreciates historical biographies that resonate emotionally, this book is a must-read.
December 9, 2025
Roy Matsumoto deserves to be remembered alongside the most celebrated heroes of World War II, and Rory Laverty ensures that his story is told with the honor it deserves. 'Delivery Man' is a celebration of courage in the truest sense not just the kind that is measured by battlefield feats, but the kind measured by moral fortitude, determination, and loyalty. Matsumoto’s bravery is evident at every turn: navigating deadly jungles, engaging in life-threatening missions, and enduring the injustice of internment camps while never losing his humanity. Laverty’s writing brings each moment to life with vivid detail and emotional depth, immersing the reader in both the physical and psychological challenges of war. This book is inspiring on so many levels. It reminds us that true heroism often exists quietly, away from the spotlight, and that even in the darkest times, individuals can make extraordinary differences. 'Delivery Man' left me feeling uplifted, grateful, and motivated to learn more about the countless unsung heroes of history
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews