America's Soldier: Why the U.S. Needed George Sakato

America's Soldier: Why the U.S. Needed George Sakato

From Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage by Pushkin Industries

June 3, 2026 · 34 min · Season 3 · Episode 3

About this episode

The episode tells the story of George Sakato, a Japanese American soldier who defied prejudice and demonstrated extraordinary bravery during World War II.

When World War II broke out, Japanese Americans, including George "Joe" Sakato and his family, were treated as threats. But Sakato still joined the Army because he wanted to protect the United States and its people. And on a hill in eastern France, he launched a one-man charge that defied military logic and changed the tides of the battle. His story is an incredible tale of loyalty and friendship against impossible odds. Binge the full season of Medal of Honor, ad-free, with a Pushkin+ subscription. Sign up and save on the Medal of Honor show page on Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus . Use the code MOH25 for 25% off an annual subscription. Connect with the team!  Follow Pushkin on social @pushkinpods   Follow JR Martinez @iamjrmartinez   Follow Meredith Rollins @meredithkrollins Email the team: medalofhonor@pushkin.fm   Episode resources: Honor Before Glory: The Epic World War II Story of the Japanese American GIs Who Rescued the Lost Battalion by Scott McGaugh (Grand Central Publishing, 2016) “442nd Regimental Combat Team” by the Densho Encyclopedia   “Going for Broke: The 442nd Regimental Combat Team” by the National World War…

Topics covered

  • World War II
  • Japanese Americans
  • military history
  • courage
  • loyalty
  • friendship
  • battle

Keywords

  • George Sakato
  • Japanese Americans
  • World War II
  • military courage
  • 442nd Regimental Combat Team
  • battle charge
  • loyalty

Sponsors

Pushkin+

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pushkin Industries, Densho Encyclopedia, National World War II Museum

Books & works: Honor Before Glory: The Epic World War II Story of the Japanese American GIs Who Rescued the Lost Battalion

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