The family of Fernando Joseph Sosa Masuda, age 97, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to honor him for his military service, we are privileged to do so.
Fernando Joseph Sosa Masuda was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 26, 1925. He was the youngest son of seven children (four sons and three daughters) of Yonezo and Guadalupe (Sosa) Masuda. Yonezo was from Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Guadalupe arrived in the US. from Querétaro, Mexico, in 1913. They married about 1918 and their first four children were born in El Paso, Texas. They moved to California about 1923, and their three younger children were born there. Yonezo died in 1927 at sea on a trip to Japan to take care of some family business.
Sosa was inducted into the U.S. Army on September 9, 1944, at Fort Douglas, Utah, a major induction center for the western United States. He was listed as Japanese, a California resident, a U.S. citizen, and his civilian occupation was given as “skilled mechanics and repairmen, motor vehicles.” After Fernando completed basic training at Camp Wheeler, near Macon, Georgia, he was assigned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and shipped to Italy.
By the time Sosa arrived in Italy, however, it was announced that Germany had surrendered (May 8, 1945). He was stationed in Livorno (also known as Leghorn) with the 442nd during the post-war occupation, conducting such duties as processing and guarding German POWs.
For his military service, Fernando was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal.
You can read more about this Hero at this link:
https://442sd.org/fernando-joseph-sosa-masuda/ There was also a documentary made about this Hero:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtk2edAw6h4After he was discharged from the Army in 1946, Fernando returned to Los Angeles. He married Lorenza Bonilla and they raised a family of four daughters. He worked as a mechanic and later in aerospace fabrication at Aerojet and Lockheed. His loving wife predeceased him and he is buried next to her.
Fernando is survived by his daughters, grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero.
Time Table for Sunday, 21 AUG 22:1430 hrs - Stage at Gate 17, Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd. Whittier, CA., 90601
1445 hrs - Mission briefing
1500 hrs - KSU to the gravesite to honor our hero with a Flag Line of Honor
Ride Captain
Paul (PeaceKeeper) Anderson
PGR Ride CaptainDowney, CA
310.717.3656
PeaceKeeper1944@gmail.com
Blessed are the PeacemakersYou do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
