World War II veteran of the 141st recalls being rescued by 442nd RCT

Astro Tortolano, a World War II veteran and member of the 141st Infantry Regiment, recalls the grim conditions he and his unit faced after being surrounded by German soldiers. This battalion of the 141st would eventually be relieved by Japanese American soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team after days of brutal fighting.

[@MotoMiami]

Hello I'd like to thank you for this post. I am the son of Master Sergeant Arthur Sakamoto who was in the 442 100th Infantry Company E He was very proud but never shared these stories with me. He passed 2 years ago and am not sure if this was my father you're talking about. But never less their motto "Go for Broke" was exemplified in your story! Thank you for sharing!

[@tolkienism3806]

Me to, but for me it's because on of my great grandfather was a part of the 141st battalion

[@goforbrokenationaleducatio8762]

We thank him for his service to our great country!

[@maxsoon1097]

442nd sacrificed their lives for the lost battalion. It's big sacrificed indeed and lost more men. These dead soldiers can be found in french cemetery. Brave and heroic soldiers

[@roytsusui1761]

My father fought with the "PURPLE HEART BATALLION" aka 442nd Regimental combat team, he was an artillery man with FOX company that was horribly wounded and left for dead on the battlefield.👍💪😎❤️ I'm so proud of my father's contributions.

[@paralegalbeagle8897]

My grandfather was with the Lost Battalion (Angelo Barca, you may have met him at the reunions) I seriously thank your father for his service he is a true hero. He's most likely the reason people like me even exist today.

[@johnarmstrong472]

You should be!! What a hero!

[@monkeeatsbanana7397]

same, my great uncle was part of 442, he got injured in gothic line but lived till 98

[@diraska]

my great uncle Junior served in the 3 ID in WW 2 and he would never talk about the war. when he was in his 70s he was in the hospital and my aunt visited him. During the visit, some news channel had something on the 442nd. My aunt turned to see Uncle Junior saluting the screen. He then said "if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here. If not for them I'd be dead." Sadly, I never my my great uncle, but he seemed like a good man. Everyone in the 442nd has my appreciation.

[@juliemerritt5144]

Hero

[@anthonyagnone5440]

My dad, Anthony was there. A medic with the 141st was one of the survivors. He hardly spoke of the rescue. To my knowledge 3000 Nisei were sent to rescue 152 survivors. In 2007 after dad passed I attended the veterans day celebration in Torrance California. I carried his Eisenhower jacket hoping someone would recognize the t- patch. I guy there with his family recognized it...and we cried. His name escapes me but I can tell you he had one arm. The other shot off by German machine gunner. Dad went on to army of occupation in Bad Tolz Germany and returned stateside in November 1945. God bless them all...the greatest generation.

[@tolkienism3806]

My great grandfather was also part of the 141st battalion, he also didn't talk about it with my family when he was alive

[@goforbrokenationaleducatio8762]

Thank you so much for sharing your father's story! These men were indeed the greatest generation. We thank you for his service!

[@josewong5412]

The guy you described sounds like Don Seki 442 L co. of Los Angeles, who passed away a few years ago. Don used to come to the Torrance veterans day celebration.

[@eddiesimms9301]

Goin' for broke!!....The 442nd Combat Regiment. I refer to them with much affection as "The Nesi Outfit"..... You're TRUE AMERICANS and I'm happy to call you my Brothers In Arms....Thank You For ANSWERING The Call To Serve, ( VOLUNTEERED), The Nation. Respectfully Eddie Simms.....A PROUD AMERICAN VETERAN!!....

[@Gunbei2]

Mr. Tortolano is a brave man and has an excellent memory. It was indeed Matsuji Sakumoto who first spotted the Lost Battalion and offered them cigarettes.

[@jasonwilliams4159]

Because of their actions, Governor Conley would make everyone in the 442nd a honorary Texan

[@sanseijedi]

In the 1990s a descendant of a Japanese honorary Texan petitioned to have "Jap Road", which was named after an Japanese immigrant, renamed. Local resistance to the change because it was part of history caused the issue to continue till 2004. The 442nd vets, honorary Texans, had to chime in to finally effect the name change.

[@johnwakamatsu3391]

I spoke to George Sakato about breaking through the German resistance and saving the lost battalion. He said his friend was killed by a hand grenade and he decided to charge the Germans. His efforts paid off and was able to break through the German defenses. I remember my father who was the 1st Sergeant Fox Company who helped rescue the lost battalion talking to Matsuji Sakumoto about reaching the lost battalion soldiers.

[@kkubo9928]

We must NEVER forget

[@knockitdown20]

What a touching account of an amazing story of courage and sacrifice to save these Texan soldiers

[@russo7877]

My uncle was from I company, in the end only 8 Soldiers was left in that company. My uncle Akira never made it to see the Texans, I thank all of them for their ultimate sacrifice.

[@dotmurphy7279]

The 442 was some tough, fierce, determined soldiers. We shall never forget.

[@ninetailsnet]

some tears on my eyes came out when he said the word, "Would you guys like some cigarrettes?" its like I was there at that moment

[@Uce1x808]

Dis story deserves a movie or tv show💯

[@redrust3]

“Go for broke“ is the movie that you are looking for. Van Johnson starred, probably sometime in the early 1950s.

[@juliemerritt5144]

@Uce1x808 There is a movie. It is called Go For Broke with Van Johnson.

[@berzerker1100]

Yeah, it's a 1951 black & white movie 🎬 🇺🇲🪖🫡 Go for broke !

[@mitchjr77]

The only thing about the Movie is that it’s short and only covered a tiny Fraction of what the 442nd did. There are WAY more insane and daring acts of Heroics the Movie didn’t even touch on. There is a reason why yhe 442nd was the MOST Decorated Military Unit of All Time!

[@patriotcraftsboy1046]

I didn’t know about the 442nd ID until I saw a Go for broke tshirt

[@samhouston9162]

An amazing story that needs to be told more.

[@goforbrokenationaleducatio8762]

Agreed!

[@xettoise5694]

Pierre Moulin, Bruyèrois, qui a terminé sa vie à Hawaï , a écrit quelques livres sur vous. Notamment « go for Broke ». Son fils sebastien moulin est venu à Hawaï en 2017 rechercher les cendres de son père et les disperser dans la mer selon son désir.

[@MacDaddy23]

Well I thought this hero sounded like he was from around me(Boston suburbs) from the accent. Turns out he grew up just a few towns over from me. Thank you for your service and what a great video.

[@krixpop]

Now this would be a truly great and educational movie !!!

[@moldyoldie7888]

The story of the lost Texas Battalion is in many books, such as "Unlikely Liberators," by Masayo Duus.

[@krixpop]

@@moldyoldie7888 thanks for the info !

[@juliemerritt5144]

@krixpop They did. It is called called God For Broke with Van Johnson.

[@krixpop]

Thanks !!!!

[@xettoise5694]

@@juliemerritt5144 voir également les livres écrits par Pierre Moulin natif de Bruyères en Vosges qui est décédé à Hawaï en 2016. Son fils sebastien est venu rechercher ses cendres. Elle est dispersées dans la mer selon son désir.

[@advinculalife2822]

That’s nice of you support your channel

[@anthonyagnone5440]

I saw your grandfather after looking for guys that were there. They were not only Texans on that shift. My Dad, Anthony was an Italian kid from New York. He was drafted. An infantryman turned medic he was at three amphibious landings including Salerno. Where his father was from. Hellova story. God bless the greatest generation.

[@pitfall5124]

Truly amazing men

[@butchbuck7432]

My dad was a combat mec there at that time

[@techno6467]

GO FOR BROKE. YESSAH.

[@mitchjr77]

“Go For Broke” was a Gambling Expression we’d say here in Hawaii, where most of the 442nd came from. At the time, “Shooting Dice” was the favorite pastime for the young Japanese American (Nisei) Men during their Unit’s downtime. When taking a big gamble and betting everything on your final throw of the Dice (or what ever Gambling Game you’re playing), you’d shout out, “Go for Broke!”, which is akin to “All or Nothing!”This would then become the 442nd’s rallying cry when in Battle, meaning they are going to give it their ALL or Die Trying! There is a reason why the 442nd is the MOST Decorated Military Unit of All Time! 🫡🇺🇸