632
1945
“The Japanese guarding our concentration camp knew the war was over,” Sugar recalled as she gazed off beyond Jake. Her hands were shaking. Her face radiated joy for the first time in days.
“They knew the atom bombs had been dropped, but we didn’t know until the American soldiers walked through the gates. The American commander, who was only 23, ordered the Japanese leader to surrender.
” ‘You’ll have to take me first!’ he said.
” ‘Take him!’ the commander ordered his aide.
With that, the aide balled up his fist and knocked the Japanese guard to the ground with one blow.”