VHP Remembers Joe Sakato, WWII Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient

VHP Remembers Joe Sakato, WWII Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient

Today the Veterans History Project mourns the loss of Joe Sakato who volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1943, soon after enlistments were allowed for Japanese-American citizens. Sakato trained in Arizona and Mississippi before being shipped to Europe with the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit made up almost entirely of Nisei soldiers.

While advancing through the Vosages Forest in France, Sakato’s platoon encountered heavy resistance but managed to destroy two German defense lines, but his unit became pinned down by heavy fire near the town of Biffontaine, France. After seeing a comrade killed beside him, Sakato became determined to take the hill from which the Germans were firing on his platoon. Without any regard for his own safety, he made a one-man charge at the entrenched Germans, killing 12, wounding 2, and capturing 4 enemy combatants. His bravery inspired the rest of his unit to rally behind him and they were able to successfully capture Hill 617.

For his extraordinary heroism, Joe Sakato was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, one of only 21 Japanese-Americans to receive the award. He was also honored by President George W. Bush at the opening of the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. Mr. Sakato passed away peacefully in his home on December 2^nd, 2015, but will forever be remembered for his selfless and courageous actions.