MOH

Medal of Honor: Geroge T. Sakato

Pinned down and outgunned on a cold French hillside, Private George Sakato charged alone into enemy fire—turning near defeat into a roaring victory for his brothers of the 442nd.

October 29, 2025

Name: George T. Sakato
Rank: Private
War: World War II
Date of Action: October 29, 1944
Unit: Company E, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division
Born: February 19, 1921 – Colton, California
Entered Service At: Glendale, Arizona










Summary of Action

On October 29, 1944, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought to rescue the trapped “Lost Battalion” of the 36th Division in the rugged Vosges Mountains near Biffontaine, France. Private George Sakato’s platoon had already overrun two German defense lines when they were suddenly pinned down by a hail of machine-gun and rifle fire.

Without hesitation, Sakato leapt from cover and charged forward alone, shouting and firing as he went. His reckless courage broke the enemy’s momentum, inspiring his platoon to surge forward and destroy the strongpoint. Moments later, a fierce counterattack erupted on their flank. When his squad leader was killed, Sakato took command, wielding both an enemy rifle and a captured P-38 pistol to repel the German assault. In the furious fight that followed, he killed twelve enemy soldiers, wounded two, and personally captured four more—leading his men to seize thirty-four prisoners in total.

His relentless courage and leadership under fire transformed chaos into triumph. In a day of desperate fighting, George Sakato’s actions helped the 442nd complete one of the most heroic rescues of the Second World War.

Medal of Honor Citation

SAKATO, GEORGE T.

Private George T. Sakato distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 October 1944, on Hill 617 in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France. After his platoon had virtually destroyed two enemy defense lines, during which he personally killed five enemy soldiers and captured four, 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 strongpoint. While his platoon was reorganizing, he proved to be the inspiration of his squad in halting a counterattack on the left flank during which his squad leader was killed. Taking charge of the squad, he continued his relentless tactics, using an enemy rifle and P-38 pistol to stop an organized enemy attack. During this entire action, he killed twelve and wounded two, personally captured four, and assisted his platoon in taking thirty-four prisoners. By continuously ignoring enemy fire and by his gallant courage and fighting spirit, he turned impending defeat into victory and helped his platoon complete its mission. Private Sakato’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.