Sadao Munemori

Sadao S. Munemori was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II.

• Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Combat Team.
• Place and date: Near Seravezza, Italy, April 5, 1945.
• Entered service at: Los Angeles, California.
• Birth: Los Angeles, California. G.O. No. 24, March 7, 1946.

He fought with great gallantry and intrepidity near Seravezza, Italy. When his unit was pinned down by grazing fire from the enemy's strong mountain defense and command of the squad devolved on him with the wounding of its regular leader, he made frontal, one-man attacks through direct fire and knocked out two machineguns with grenades Withdrawing under murderous fire and showers of grenades from other enemy emplacements, he had nearly reached a shell crater occupied by two of his men when an unexploded grenade bounced on his helmet and rolled toward his helpless comrades. He arose into the withering fire, dived for the missile and smothered its blast with his body. By his swift, supremely heroic action Pfc. Munemori saved two of his men at the cost of his own life and did much to clear the path for his company's victorious advance.

The interchange between the I-105 and I-405 freeways in Los Angeles is labeled the "Sadao S. Munemori Memorial Interchange."