Louis Kahaulelio Sakamoto

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Louis Kahaulelio Sakamoto (30100182), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, 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.