Richard Sakakida

Richard Motoso Sakakida
Sgt Sakakida in Manila, 1946
Born(1920-11-19)November 19, 1920
DiedJanuary 23, 1996(1996-01-23) (aged 75)
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
 United States Air Force
Service years1941-1948 (Army), 1948-1975 (Air Force)
Rank Lt Colonel
UnitCounterintelligence Corps
Military Intelligence Service
CommandsAir Force Office of Special Investigations
ConflictsWorld War II - Philippines Campaign
AwardsBronze Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Service Medal
Philippine Legion of Honor
Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
SpouseCherry Kiyosaki

Richard Motoso Sakakida (Japanese: 榊田 元宗, November 19, 1920 – January 23, 1996) was a United States Army intelligence agent stationed in the Philippines at the outbreak of World War II. He was captured and tortured for months after the fall of the country to Imperial Japan, but managed to convince the Japanese that he was a civilian and was released. Employed by the Japanese Fourteenth Army (though still under suspicion), he gathered and passed along valuable information to the Philippine resistance. He also planned and participated in the mass escape of about 500 Filipino prisoners.