If you’ve been following the Winter Olympics, you know that NBC correspondent, Japanese-American Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, can get pretty excited when she sees a beautifully executed triple toe loop.

But the stories about her ancestors in her archival Kolo Newport photo album move her to tears.

Among pages of old black-and-white photographs and papers in her Kolo book, is a New York Times newspaper clipping about the promotion of her grandfather, an American soldier during World War II. It was a difficult time; he was the only Japanese-American in his entire combat unit, serving his country proudly in the 100th Infantry Division while his family members in America were held in internment camps. A quote from the article shows he earned the respect of his commanding officers:

He is, unquestionably, the company’s best soldier.

Upon seeing this for the first time, Kristi takes a Kleenex and few moments to collect herself, then speaks softly, with reverence:

I knew he was a special man.

Kristi’s archival Kolo Newport photo album helps to bring the stories of her ancestors to life. It was presented to her by the distinguished genealogist and Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., as part of a four-part mini-series called “Faces of America,” airing on PBS stations across the United States. Well worth watching. In most markets, it airs on Wednesday evenings through March 3rd, but check your local listings.

In this photo, Kristi's grandfather is third from the right in the first row.

For more about Kristi Yamaguchi’s genealogical discoveries, go here.

- Ugo