Medal of Honor recipient PVT Sakato laid to rest yesterday.

[sore shoulder]

One of the last remaining WWII Medal of Honor recipients was buried in Denver yesterday.

A first generation Japanese American who, during WWII, was initially told he could not serve because he was considered an enemy. Later he joined a segregated Japanese Regiment, the 442 Regimental Combat Team which would become the most decorated unit in US history. A descendant of Samurais, he was instructed by his family not to dishonor them. In basic training he was so small he could not climb the high obstacles. He was a very poor shot with a rifle. This did not stop him from making literally a one man rush against an enemy machinegun nest, then reorganizing his squad to repel and break a counter attack, killing 16 Germans total with a Thompson machine gun pilfered from a disabled tank (the official record/citation states it was a captured enemy rifle and P-38 pistol, according to the testimony of an eye witness yesterday, and PVT Sakatos own words, it was a Thompson) and capturing 34 after his friend died in his arms during a battle in France for a hill where they had been pinned down in conditions that can only be described as hellish as I heard another survivor and eye witness describe them. This is only a fraction of the things I learned yesterday during the ceremonies for PVT Sakato that you will not read in the official record. The dignitaries who attended and spoke were the General Consul of Japan, a state representative, the commanding General of the Colorado National Guard and the Battalion Commander of the Colorado 1/157 Infantry Mountain Warfare unit. The French Ambassador sent a letter that was read and continued the honor that the French still have for Americans who died in their defense. The 1/157 Infantry provided the Color Guard and Honor Guard escort. The Governor of Colorado sent an aid who did not speak. There was no representative from the white house. There were 4 living MOH recipients in attendance. The Patriot Guard was in attendance throughout the day holding flags. The Colorado Civil Air Patrol was also in the procession.

There is so much more than could be said in a paragraph about PVT Sakato , a man who deserved much more honor than was given yesterday. In that regard I felt compelled to share some of what I learned somewhere it would be appreciated. I've included a few links, and I'm sure there is much more on the internet for those inclined to research further.

http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2 ... orge-t.php
http://image2.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg ... =155641907
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_T._Sakato
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/442nd_Inf ... ed_States)

[AJMD429]

Thanks for posting that.

Thanks for the links, too. Even in old age, he looked happy.

That "there was no representative from the white house.", unfortunately, is no surprise. With the crowd in charge now, it would probably be more of a dishonor than an honor anyway, or just be turned into another photo-op for Bobo...

[jnyork]

Not having anyone from THIS Whitehouse might be an honor.

Another American Hero gone, RIP.

Day is done, Gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hill,
From the sky.
All is well, Safely rest,
God is nigh.

[gamekeeper]

A brave man, may he rest in peace.

[.45colt]

Awesome...Thank You for the post. God Bless Him.

[sore shoulder]

Not having anyone from THIS Whitehouse might be an honor.

Another American Hero gone, RIP.

Day is done, Gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hill,
From the sky.
All is well, Safely rest,
God is nigh.

At the request of PVT Sakato, this was sung at the memorial. For those who may not know, those are the words for Taps.

[jeepnik]

One of the Axis powers sends a representative, yet Obama can't manage to do the same. This should have been front page news.

[sore shoulder]

I was pretty sure I had seen an old black and white movie about the 442nd. I found it on Youtube, it is in the public domain due to failure to renew the copyright so don't fear you are watching a bootleg.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9LFT_lX-Z8

[octagon]

RIP SIR

[2571]

Gotta say it's disgusting to see this hero's obituary marred by those who would rather make political comment than commend his actions.

RIP

[Malamute]

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting guy, and a great role model.

[Ysabel Kid]

Not having anyone from THIS Whitehouse might be an honor.

+ infinity!

God speed brave warrior!

[JerryB]

My dad took me to see this movie when it came out in 1951.

[boolitshooter]

sore shoulder,
Thanks for posting this.
He was a true American Hero.
May he be blessed by God and rest in peace.
Along with all of our other American service members who have sacrificed their time and lives to make us and others in the world safe.

[M. M. Wright]

My best salute to him. He has brought much honor on his family.

[Rusty]

RIP thou good and faithful servant.

[jeepnik]

I was pretty sure I had seen an old black and white movie about the 442nd. I found it on Youtube, it is in the public domain due to failure to renew the copyright so don't fear you are watching a bootleg.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9LFT_lX-Z8

Can't count the number of times I've seen it. But it's still good every time.

Growing up one of my buddies dad was a vet. It wasn't until many, many years later that Calvin and I found out his dad was in the 442. His dad never mentioned it, like so many vets from WWII they just did what they did and didn't want any fuss made.

[Bill in Oregon]

Godspeed, American. Let us never, ever pull this racial condemnation stuff again.

[Frank V]

sore shoulder

Thanks for posting that.
We are rapidly loosing the men who fought in WW2 to me all of them are heros!
I lost a good friend who fought in WW2 five years ago, he & I hunted together & became friends.
He fought in the Pacific & was wounded by a Japanese morter.
Thank all who fought in WW2 you are all heros!