In the shadow of World War II, fear and prejudice grips at the heart of America. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, a wave of suspicion washes over the nation, and in 1942, Eric Rossi, alongside a group of island men-deemed threats due to their ancestry-are forcibly relocated to a desolate base in West Texas. Stripped of their homes and freedom, they arrive at Fort Bliss, set with the grueling task of building their own prison.

Chained together at the ankle, Eric and four other men referred to as "columnists," struggle against the harsh desert heat, savage working conditions, and the ruthless realities of an unknowing future. As they strive to maintain their sanity, they develop a camaraderie through shared pasts, and a whimsical melody whistled day in and day out.

When an unfortunate accident displaces the chained gang, they soon realize their shackled existence isn't the only horror dwelling in the vast desert before them. Another predator stalks the camp, and survival may require more than their combined strength and wits. These so-called columnists will need a warrior's song of their own to face what death has in store for them.

The 5th Columnist shares the struggle of Italian, German, and Japanese Americans caught in a dark part of American history. Though this story is work of fiction, the truth is equally as disturbing.