Sadao Munemori 1923–1945
Hero of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team
In 1941, Sadao Munemori was a 19-year-old car mechanic living and working in Los Angeles. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he did what many other United States citizens did. He tried to join the army. He wanted to fight for his country. But the army rejected Munemori because he was Japanese American. The Munemori family was sent to an internment camp.
These injustices could have turned Munemori against his country. Instead, when the government later asked Japanese Americans to join the fight, Munemori volunteered. He fought bravely in Italy and France with the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He died in battle saving the lives of two comrades. For this he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for courage in battle. The U.S. Navy also named a ship after him. Sadao Munemori was a hero, like so many Japanese American soldiers who fought for their country during World War II.
Critical Thinking
Why do you think Sadao Munemori volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team?