- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- January 25th, 1944
On ** October 1943, in Italy, Staff Sergeant Sakamoto assumed command of his platoon when his platoon leader was wounded by enemy mortar fire. The platoon was halted from further advance by heavy fire from enemy machine guns, machine pistols and mortars. Staff Sergeant Sakamoto, on his own initiative, crawled forward in the face of the heavy fire to a point from where he could throw hand grenades into the enemy's position. This action proved to be so effective that the enemy was forced to withdraw, enabling the platoon to move forward and occupy the ground previously held by the enemy and to bring effective fire on them as they retreated. The Company, as a result of his brave action, moved their mortars into action against the enemy, causing heavy casualties. Staff Sergeant Sakamoto's conduct and initiative in the face of grave danger was an inspiration to his comrades and a credit to the Armed Forces of the Untied States.