Image by: NYTimes
He just recently passed away earlier this year so the @nytimes (IG) did a nice write-up about him. In short, he is a Japanese-American who received the highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. He was awarded this well after his military service in the 442nd which was comprised of all Japanese Americans. A regiment that was also the most decorated in military history for it’s size and length of service. These were the same Americans who were also being discriminated for being Japanese at the time.
Obituaries
- New York Times, by Richard Goldstein
- LA Times by Jill Leovy, Contact Reporter
George Taro Sakato grew up outside San Bernardino where he graduated from Redlands High School. After World War II began, his family moved to Arizona to avoid internment on the west coast. He joined the Army in 1944 and volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which was mostly made up of Japanese-Americans. In October 1944 after his platoon had virtually destroyed two enemy defense lines near Biffontaine, France, his unit was pinned down by heavy enemy fire. Disregarding the enemy fire, Private Sakato made a one-man rush that encouraged his platoon to charge and destroy the enemy strong point. Taking charge of the squad after his squad leader was mortally wounded, he continued his relentless tactics to stop an organized enemy attack. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions, but the 1990s review upgraded it to a Medal of Honor. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team remains the most decorated for its size and length of service in the history of American warfare.
#respect #rip #medalofhonor#Japaneseamerican #militaryservice#442 #442nd #georgesakato #saito#colorado #denver #303 #ww2 #issei#nikkei #nisei #newyorktimes #american#americancitizen
