FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2000

Contact: Josh Freed
(202) 225-4431
 
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (CO-1) congratulated George Sakato of Denver for receiving the Medal of Honor from the President of the United States at the White House today for his outstanding service during World War II. The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor and it was presented to Mr. Sakato for his service more than 50 years ago.

“On behalf of the citizens of Denver, I would like to congratulate and thank Mr. Sakato for his heroism and service to our nation,” said Rep. DeGette. “We must always remember the sacrifices of our veterans and pay special tribute to those who fought bravely to protect and defend our freedom.”

Pvt. George Sakato is Commander of American Legion Post 185 in Denver. He fought in the segregated Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team during his tour of duty in WWII. The Nisei 442nd was a regiment of mostly Japanese-Americans who were given the option of enlisting in the army or remaining in Internment camps with their families. In spite of racial discrimination, soldiers in the Nisei 442nd fought bravely and loyally for the United States. In fact, The Nisei 442nd became the most decorated group of soldiers in American history with 3,600 Purple Hearts and 810 Bronze Stars.

On October 29, 1944, Pvt. Sakato and his squad were pinned down near Biffontaine, France when Pvt. Sakato charged a German stronghold. He received the Distinguished Service Cross after the war for his bravery. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest military honor. Pvt. Sakato was one of twenty Asian-Americans awarded the Medal of Honor today.
 
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