George Sakato
George Taro “Joe” Sakato was born on February 19, 1921 in Colton, California. He was a Nisei (a second generation Japanese-American). He joined the U.S. Army in March 1944, and volunteered for the all-Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army was a regimental size fighting unit composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese descent who fought in World War II even though their families were subject to internment. The 442nd, beginning in 1944, fought primarily in Europe during World War II. The 442nd was a self-sufficient force, and fought with uncommon distinction in Italy, southern France, and Germany. The 442nd is considered to be the most decorated infantry regiment in the history of the United States Army. The 442nd was awarded eight Presidential Unit Citations and twenty-one of its members were awarded the Medal of Honor for World War II. The 442nd's high distinction in the war and its record-setting decoration count earned it the nickname "Purple Heart Battalion." The 442nd Regimental Combat Team motto was "Go for Broke".
For his actions in October, 1944, Sakato was awarded the Army’s second highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. In a White House ceremony on June 21, 2000, he was presented his medal by President Bill Clinton.
Sakato’s Medal of Honor recognized his extraordinary heroism during frontline fighting in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France on 29 October 1944. He charged an enemy stronghold, and then took command of his platoon and led it in defense of the position.
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army was a regimental size fighting unit composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese descent who fought in World War II even though their families were subject to internment. The 442nd, beginning in 1944, fought primarily in Europe during World War II. The 442nd was a self-sufficient force, and fought with uncommon distinction in Italy, southern France, and Germany. The 442nd is considered to be the most decorated infantry regiment in the history of the United States Army. The 442nd was awarded eight Presidential Unit Citations and twenty-one of its members were awarded the Medal of Honor for World War II. The 442nd's high distinction in the war and its record-setting decoration count earned it the nickname "Purple Heart Battalion." The 442nd Regimental Combat Team motto was "Go for Broke".
For his actions in October, 1944, Sakato was awarded the Army’s second highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. In a White House ceremony on June 21, 2000, he was presented his medal by President Bill Clinton.
Sakato’s Medal of Honor recognized his extraordinary heroism during frontline fighting in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France on 29 October 1944. He charged an enemy stronghold, and then took command of his platoon and led it in defense of the position.
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Photograph in collection is an autographed photo of George Sakato.
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