A Quality of Mercy (The Twilight Zone)

The Twilight Zone episode S03.E15 airing Dec. 29, 1961

Hot-shot new Lieutenant Katell tries to make his mark on the last day of World War II in the Pacific and gets a unique perspective on his actions.

On August 6, 1945 - the last day of World War II - a forward platoon acting as artillery spotters get an eager and aggressive Lieutenant Katell. The artillery has been unable to dislodge a Japanese unit from a cave and Katell decides that the unit is going to attack. He suddenly finds himself in 1942 however, leading a Japanese unit that is about to attack Americans who are holed up in a cave. He looks into a mirror of sorts when his Japanese superior orders the destruction of the American stronghold. When he flashes back to 1945, he has second thoughts about the attack.

Appearance by

• Jerry Fujikawa as Japanese Captain (credited as J.H. Fujikawa).
• Dale Ishimoto as Sgt. Yamazaki