When Shane Sato sat down to photograph Yoshio Nakamura, the World War II veteran, renowned artist and beloved educator was 92.

“I really liked his face, he seemed kind, with a lot of emotion and depth,” Sato said. “So I took his portrait with his eyes closed trying to let that spirit shine through.”

The resulting photo was published in Sato’s book, “The Go for Broke Spirit” in 2017. Since then, Sato, of Los Angeles, has grown to stand in awe of how many lives Nakamura has touched.

“He has a great way of relating to people, a friend to so many,” Sato said in July.

Nakamura, whom Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn called “a one-of-a-kind American hero,” died on Saturday, Nov. 22.

He was 100 years old.

Hahn said she plans to adjourn next week’s meeting of the L.A. County Board of

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