05/08/2026
“When the time came for enlistment, I was ready, my faith and loyalty restored, stronger, firmer, and unwavering, I volunteered.”
- George Sawada, medic, 100th Infantry Battalion
Born in Hilo, Hawaii, and raised in Seattle, Washington, Sawada was a post-graduate student studying medicine at the University of Washington when Executive Order 9066 was signed. As a result, Sawada and his family were sent to the Minidoka incarceration camp in Idaho.
“It was a bitter blow to me,” Sawada stated. “I, a citizen, with a brother already serving in the Army, must evacuate.” His father, Shinsaku, was a source of comfort and strength. Sawada told him, “That I have retained my faith through this trying period and emerged what I am, a loyal American citizen, I owe to your understanding.”
In February 1943, the U.S. Army lifted its restrictions on the enlistment of Japanese Americans and sent recruiters to the incarceration camps. Sawada volunteered and encouraged others to join with the belief that it would be proof of their loyalty to the U.S. Several months later, he arrived at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and began to train with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as a medic.
In May 1944, after one year of training, the 442nd RCT departed for Italy, where Sawada was assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the same unit to which his younger brother, Fred belonged.
A week later, the 100th/442nd underwent one of its toughest battles of the Italian campaign. Near the town of Castellina, the Germans occupied several hills from which they could easily observe and fire upon advancing U.S. troops. On July 5, 1944, in the thick of battle, a desperate call went out for more litter (stretcher) bearers. Sawada volunteered. As he was helping wounded soldiers, he was shot and killed by a German sniper.
Victor Izui, 442nd RCT medic, recalled the reaction of Sawada’s brother. “After [Fred] heard that his brother was killed, he volunteered for these dangerous missions,” Izui said. “As a Scout, they go way up ahead of the company.”
His family received the devastating news at Minidoka. A memorial service was held at the camp for Sawada and eight other Nisei soldiers, the first from Minidoka that died while serving their country.
“There is an old Japanese or is it a Chinese saying that a man must weep thrice ere his span of life is done,” George Sawada wrote to his father. “I do not know whether this is true or not, but I have already seen you weep twice, once in sorrow and once in joy, and if this is true and it is predestined that you must weep again, then dad, let it be for me - once in glory, for the victory that shall surely be mine. God bless you, Dad, and keep you until this happy day.”
To learn more about American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry, please visit us at https://nvnvets.org.
