A Japanese American who led his battalion up the Vosges Mountains in France to kill 12 German soldiers and capture 34 others during World War II has died, reported the NY Times.
George Sakato was the last survivor of seven Japanese Americans who received a bronze medal in recognition for their efforts in that battle. He was a member of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Sakato died in Denver at 94.
He was recommended for the Medal of Valor, but like so many other Asian Americans, was denied it.
He along with 21 other Asian Americans finally received their recognition 50 years later in 2000 from President Bill Clinton.
At just 5’4″, Sakato never imagined himself as a great combat soldier.
“I was skinny and I got pneumonia, chickenpox, measles, anything that came by,” he told Densho in 2009. “I couldn’t shoot that rifle.”
You can read more about his brave heroism on the Vosges Mountains in the NY Times..
Re: Last living hero from firefight in Vosges Mountain dies: George Sakato received the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vosges. That medal was upgraded in 2000. He was not the only hero. George's buddies, already passed or still living, demonstrated remarkable courage and tenacity in rescuing the Lost Battalion in the Vosges Mountains in 1944.