Atsushi Sakamoto
- Date of birth: 5-Oct-16
- Date of death: July 17, 1944
- Home of record: San Pedro, California
- Status: KIA
Awards and Citations
1.
Silver Star
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more recipients of this award
Awarded posthumously for actions during
the World
War II
The President of the United States of America,
authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the
Silver Star (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Atsushi Sakamoto (ASN:
39020224), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d
Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 6 and 17
July 1944, in the vicinities of Molino A Ventoabbto and Luciano, Italy. As two
platoons of an assault company fought their way up Hill 140, they were
subjected to a concentrated mortar barrage which killed one man and wounded
several. Although the platoons were seriously disorganized, Sergeant Sakamoto
gained control and successfully led his men through a deadly counter-attack by
a superior enemy force, enabling the company to hold the hill until they were
relieved by another company in the morning. On another occasion Sergeant
Sakamoto led his platoon in an attack on the village of Luciano although aware
of the fact that the enemy, consisting of approximately 30 men, were heavily
armed with machine guns, machine pistols, rifles and a tank. Approaching a bend
in the road leading into the village, Sergeant Sakamoto moved forward alone,
attempting to draw enemy fire. Sighting a machine gun nest he crept forward to
fire his sub-machine gun when he was shot and instantly killed by a
machine-pistol sniper. The courageous leadership displayed by Sergeant Sakamoto
is exemplary and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.
General Orders: Headquarters, 34th Infantry Division, General
Orders No. 96 (September 10, 1944)
Action Date: July 6 & 17, 1944
Service: Army
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Company: Company K
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 442d Regimental Combat Team
Division: 34th Infantry Division
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Sakamoto, Atsushi, Technical Sergeant,
was born on 10/5/1916 and grew up in San Pedro, California. He was inducted
into the U.S. Army in 1942, and his family was forced to evacuate to Poston
II camp (226-8-B). Atsushi fought with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team,
3rd Battalion, Company K, and was killed in action at the age of 28 years, on
7/17/1944 in the Livorno-Luciana area in the Rome-Arno battle in Italy. Awards:
Combat Infantryman's Badge, Silver Star and Purple Heart. Burial: Evergreen
Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
