WWII Medal of Honor Stamp

WASHINGTON — As a Japanese-American during World War II, George Sakato felt he had to prove his loyalty to the United States. He enlisted in the Army in March 1944 and assigned to 442nd RCT. 
     In October 1944, Pvt. George Sakato made a one-man "banzai attack" on an enemy strong point in northern France, killing 12 enemy, wounded 2, captured 4 prisoners, and successfully defended the area with his platoon, which earned him the Medal of Honor.

     George Sakato is among the last 12 living Medal of Honor recipients from WW II who have been honored with a U.S. postage stamp set, which was introduced on Veterans Day.
      Sakato worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 27 years after he left the Army.
      “This shows what we had to go through, what we stand for,” Sakato said. “We want to be looked up to rather than being looked down upon. … That’s why I joined the Army, to prove my loyalty to the United States of America.”
      The U.S. Postal Service selected to honor the last 12 living Medal of Honor recipients from WWII. Senator Daniel Inouye (HI), Vernon McGarity, Nicholas Oresko and John Hawk died before the stamp images were released.
      The stamps show the Navy and Army versions of the Medal.  The Air Force version wasn’t created until 1965.  The new format set lists the names of all 464 recipients from WWII. Black & white pictures of the last 12 living recipients in their youth surround the actual stamps on the sheet..........
 Read entire article at: http://www.stripes.com/news/wwii-vets-help-unveil-medal-of-honor-postage-stamp-1.252271

Educational information with short interviews with veterans about the 442nd RCT/522nd Field Artillery Battalion and what they discovered......
from the Go For Broke Organization

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

The French Government will be awarding 11 Southern California World War II Nisei  veterans with the National Order of the Legion of Honor in the rank of Chevalier (Knight), which is the highest honor France awards to its citizens and foreign nationals.

The presentations by the Deputy Consul General of France, Fabrice Maiolino, will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 10 a.m., at the Go For Broke National Monument in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. This public ceremony will be followed by a private reception for the honorees and their families.

The honorees are 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) veterans who were previously honored at the Congressional Gold Medal Celebration in Washington, D.C. which was held in November 2011.  

The following 442nd RCT veterans will be honored:

T/Sgt. Tokuji Yoshihashi of San Gabriel, California, born in Pasadena in 1923,  served with Company A of the 100th Battalion/442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge

S/Sgt. Harry H. Kanada of Los Angeles, California, born in Honolulu in 1918, served with Company K of the 100th Battalion/442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge

Sgt. Hiroshi Nishikubo of Los Angeles, California,   born in Clarksburg in 1921. He served with Company L of the 100th Battalion/442nd RCT. Significant military honors:  Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge.

Sgt. Don S. Miyada of Westminster, California, was born in Oceanside in 1925. He served with Company A of the 100th Battalion/442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Combat Infantryman Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge.

Sgt. Fumio “Steve” Shimizu of Laguna Woods, California, born in Kona, Hawaii in 1920, served with Company F of the 442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge.

Sgt. Takashi “Frank” Sugihara, of Tustin, California,  born in Los Angeles in 1921, served with Cannon Company of the 442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge. 

Sgt. Harry H. Yoshimura, of Bellflower, California,  born in Torrington, Wyoming, and served with Company A /442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Glider Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge.

Cpl. Noboru “Don” Seki, of Long Beach, California, born in Honolulu in 1923, and served with Company L of the 100th Battalion/ 442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge.

Pfc. George S. Kanatani of Redlands, California, born in Redlands in 1918 and served with Company A of the 442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge.

Pfc. Makoto “James” Ogawa of Gardena, California, born in Riverside, California in 1923,  served with Company C of the 100th Battalion/442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation and Distinguished Unit Badge. 

Pfc. Takashi Wada of Torrance, California,  born in Sanger, California in 1919, served with Company L of the 442nd RCT. Significant military honors: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge.

Source: http://www.rafu.com/2013/11/france-to-recognize-nisei-vets-with-legion-of-honor/