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The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor confers special privileges on its recipients, both by tradition and by law. By tradition, all other soldiers, sailors, and airmen—even higher-ranking officers up to the President of the United States—initiate the salute. In the event of an officer encountering an enlisted member of the military who has been awarded the Medal of Honor, officers by tradition salute not the person, but the medal itself, thus attempting to time their salute to coincide with the enlisted members'. By law, awardees have several benefits:[35][36][37]
* Each Medal of Honor awardee may have his or her name entered on the Medal of Honor Roll (38 U.S.C. § 1560). Each person whose name is placed on the Medal of Honor Roll is certified to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as being entitled to receive the special pension of $1027 per month. As of December 1, 2004, the pension is subject to cost-of-living increases.
* Enlisted recipients of the Medal of Honor are entitled to a supplemental uniform allowance.
* Recipients receive special entitlements to air transportation under the provisions of DOD Regulation 4515.13-R.
* Special identification cards and commissary and exchange privileges are provided for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible dependents.
* Children of recipients are eligible for admission to the United States military academies without regard to the quota requirements.
* Recipients receive a 10% increase in retired pay under 10 U.S.C. § 3991, subject to the 75% limit on total retired pay.
* Those awarded the Medal after October 23, 2002 also receive a Medal of Honor Flag. The law also specifies that all 143 living Medal of Honor recipients receive the flag along with all future recipients.(14 U.S.C. § 505).
* As with all medals, retired personnel may wear the Medal of Honor on "appropriate" civilian clothing. Regulations also specify that recipients of the Medal of Honor are allowed to wear the uniform "at their pleasure" with standard restrictions on political, commercial, or extremist purposes; other former members of the armed forces may do so only at certain ceremonial occasions.[38][39]
the Civil War
The medal was originally proposed to General Winfield Scott who did not like idea. However, a similar proposal was endorsed by Gideon Welles, then Secretary of the Navy. This proposal was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in December, 1861. The next year a "medal of valor" was created for the Army thanks to the efforts of Edward D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General. The bill creating this medal was signed into law in July, 1862. Although proposed only for the Civil War, Congress made the medal permanent in 1863.
Since that time more than 3400 men and 1 woman have been awarded the medal.
The Civil War era medals were designed by silversmiths William Wilson & Son of Philadelphia and the designs were coordinated by James Pollock, Director of the U. S. Mint. The "foul spirit of Secession and Rebellion" is depicted on the obverse side as a man holding serpents attacking a female figure (The Union). The back of the medal was unadorned so that the awardees' name could be engraved.
From the time the first medal was issued until January 14, 1997, 3,427 medals were awarded to 3,408 recipients (there were 19 to whom the Medal was awarded twice.) Of these, 2,553 were enlisted personnel and 169 were living as of this date. (Source: Congressional Medal of Honor Society).
Three medals, awarded to Daniel Sickles, Henry Tremain, and Daniel Butterworth (the so-called "Sickles' Circle) forced the review of the process in 1897 .Because these high-ranking individuals had gained medals in questionable ways, and because of other abuses of the Civil War era medal nominations, the process of applying for a Medal of Honor was revised. In addition to standardizing the nomination process, eyewitness testimony was required so that the committee could reduce the number of inappropriate medals awarded.
The Purge of 1917
Perhaps the single most famous event associated with the Medal of Honor is the Purge of 1917. Originally convened in 1916 by Nelson Miles, himself a MOH awardee, the commission reviewed each of the Army medals awarded. Their report, presented in February, 1917, revoked the medals presented to 911 people including 864 medals awarded to the 27th Maine for re-enlisting and President Lincoln's funeral guard. Six medals awarded to civilians were revoked as well. Included in this group were Mary Walker, the only female awardee, and Buffalo Bill Cody, a scout and technically not a soldier during the Indian Wars.
Medals of Honor for the Navy, Army and Air ForceFor sixty years the revocation of the medals stood. Dr. Walker, who refused to return the medal as requested by the U. S. Army, proudly wearing it every day until she died. In 1977 President Jimmy Carter re-instated the award to Walker. It would be another 13 years before President George Bush re-instated the medals for Cody and five other scouts.
Bush also presented a medal to the family of Freddie Stowers, an African-American who died in World War I, gravely wounded while attempting to destroy a machine gun that had pinned down his men. While Medals of Honor had been awarded to African-Americans for heroic deeds during Civil War actions, in 1997 President Bill Clinton ordered a review of heroic deeds by African-Americans during World War II that may have been overlooked because of racial prejudice. Seven men were chosen to r442nd Regimental Combat Team Decorations
Fighting in the European theatre, the 442nd RCT became the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service, earning it the title, the "Purple Heart Battalion." The 442nd RCT received 7 Presidential Unit Citations (5 earned in one month), and its members received around 18,000 awards, including:
* 21 Medals of Honor (the first awarded posthumously to PFC Sadao Munemori, Company A, 100th Battalion, for action near Seravezza, Italy, on April 5, 1945; the others upgraded from other awards in June 2000)
* 52 Distinguished Service Crosses (including 19 Distinguished Service Crosses which were upgraded to Medals of Honor in June 2000)
* 1 Distinguished Service Medal
* 560 Silver Stars (plus 28 Oak Leaf Clusters for a second award)
* 22 Legion of Merit Medals
* 15 Soldier's Medals
* 4,000 Bronze Stars (plus 1,200 Oak Leaf Clusters for a second award; one Bronze Star was upgraded to a Medal of Honor in June 2000)
* 9,486 Purple Hearts
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army, was a unit composed of Japanese Americans who fought in Europe during the Second World War. The families of many of its soldiers were subject to internment. The 442nd was a self-sufficient fighting force, and fought with distinction in North Africa, Italy, southern France, and Germany, becoming the most highly decorated unit of its size and length of service in the history of the U.S. Army, including 21 Medal of Honor recipients.
Hawaii Territorial Guard
Japanese American soldiers of the 298th and 299th Infantry regiments of the Hawaii National Guard.
100th Infantry Battalion
History of the 100th Battalion
100th Infantry soldiers receiving training in the use of grenades.
The 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) -- known as the "One-Puka-Puka" (Puka means "hole" in Hawaiian) -- was activated on 12 June 1942, a force of over 1,400 Nisei (Second Generation Americans of Japanese Ancestry), led by a handful of "haole" (Caucasian) officers. The troops were from the Territory of Hawaii, which led to many pidgin phrases becoming common in the Battalion and in the subsequently-formed 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
After training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and Camp Shelby, Mississippi, the battalion was ready to deploy, but was refused by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. General Mark Clark, commanding the Fifth Army, accepted the offer, and the One-Puka-Puka deployed to the Mediterranean in August 1943.
Fifth Army attached the battalion to the 34th Infantry Division. The unit entered combat on 27 September 1943, near Salerno in Southern Italy. The battalion fought well and took heavy casualties, leading Clark to tell the Army "Send me all you got!"
Impressed with the valor of the Hawaiian Nisei (including six awards of the Distinguished Service Cross in the first eight weeks of combat), the War Department recommended that more Nisei volunteers be sought, from both Hawaii and the mainland relocation camps, to form the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), activated on 1 February 1943, also to be sent to Italy. The 100th and 442nd were assigned to fight alongside each other.
The 100th Battalion fought at Cassino in January 1944, and later accompanied the 34th Infantry Division to Anzio. In May and June 1944 the battalion, joined by the 442d RCT, helped break out from Anzio and push the Germans north of Rome. The battalion was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) [later redesignated the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC)] for its actions on June 26-27.
On 10 August 1944, the 100th Battalion formally became part of the 442d RCT, for the final 9 months of the War in Europe. The 442d RCT was demobilized and inactivated in August 1946, leaving their honors, lineage and traditions to the 100th Battalion from which many had been inherited two years before. This lineage and these honors continue to be preserved by the 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry (US Army Reserve).
The "Home of Heroes" website about the 100th Infantry Battalion
LINK HERE
JAPANESE-AMERICAN MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
LINK HERE
President Clinton Approves Medal of Honor for Asian Pacific American World War II Heroes
May 12, 2000
Nineteen of 21 were members of the Army's most highly decorated unit
President Clinton has approved the Army's recommendations of 21 Asian Pacific American World War II veterans to receive the Medal of Honor -- the nation's highest award for valor.
The recommendations were made by Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera following a careful review by the Army of the war records of those Asian Pacific American veterans whose World War II bravery at the time earned them award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award. The review of the records of the Asian Pacific American veterans by the Army and the Navy was authorized by the 1996 Defense Authorization Act to ensure wartime conditions had not led to such bravery being inadequately recognized. Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii authored the specific provision to ensure that the veterans' valorous actions could be considered notwithstanding statutory time restrictions for considering such awards. While 104 Asian Pacific Americans were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for actions during World War II, only two were awarded the Medal of Honor.
"We are privileged to properly honor the heroic actions of these brave soldiers, " said Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera.
Nineteen of the 21 Asian Pacific American veterans are Japanese Americans of the celebrated 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most highly decorated unit in the history of the U.S. armed forces. The unit earned over 18,000 individual decorations, including 9,486 Purple Hearts and seven Presidential Unit Citations, the nation's top award for combat units. The 100th/442nd's famous motto, "Go for Broke," reflects its reputation for accomplishing its mission despite all costs. Many of the Japanese Americans who served in the 100th/442nd volunteered from internment camps where their families had been relocated to after the outbreak of war.
The 100th/442nd fought in eight major campaigns in Italy, France and Germany, including battles at Monte Cassino, Anzio, and Biffontaine. At Biffontaine, the 100th/442nd fought perhaps its most famous battle, the epic "Rescue of the Lost Battalion," in which the Japanese American unit sustained over 800 casualties to rescue 211 members of the Texan 1st Battalion of the 141st Regiment.
22d Medal of Honor Recipient Likely
In addition to the 21 approved for the award, a Medal of Honor recommendation for another Japanese American, James Okubo, was favorably considered under a separate provision of law, but cannot be formally approved until Congress waives the statutory time restriction in his specific case. Okubo, an Army medic, received a Silver Star for his actions near Biffontaine in October and November 1944, where he was cited for extraordinary heroism in several separate actions in which he saved the lives of fellow 100th/442nd soldiers while exposing himself to intense enemy fire.
Veterans Approved to Receive the Medal of Honor:
Davila, Rudolph B., SSgt. (later 2nd Lt.), 7th Infantry, for actions on May 28, 1944, at Artena, Italy.
Hajiro, Barney F, Pvt., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in October 1944 for actions at Bruyeres and Biffontaine, France.
Hasemoto, Mikio, Pvt., 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep), for actions on November 29, 1943, at Cerasuolo, Italy (Posthumous)
Hayashi, Joe, Pvt., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in April 1945 at Tendola, Italy.
Hayashi, Shizuya, Pvt., 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep), for actions on November 29, 1943, at Cerasuolo, Italy.
Inouye, Daniel K., 2nd Lt. (later 1st Lt.), 442nd Infantry, for actions on April 21, 1945, at San Terenzo, Italy.
Kobashigawa, Yeiki, Tech. Sgt., 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions on June 2, 1944, at Lanuvio, Italy.
Kuroda, Robert T, SSgt., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on October 20, 1944, at Bruyeres, France (Posthumous).
Moto, Kaoru, Pfc., 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions on July 7, 1944, at Castellina, Italy (Posthumous).
Muranaga, Kiyoshi K., Pfc., 442nd Infantry, for actions on June 26, 1944, at Suvereto, Italy (Posthumous).
Nakae, Masato, Pvt., 100th/442nd Infantry, for actions on August 19, 1944, at Pisa, Italy (Posthumous).
Nakamine, Shinyei, Pvt., 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep), for actions on June 2, 1944, at La Torreto, Italy (Posthumous).
Nakamura, William K., Pfc., 442nd Infantry, for actions on July 4, 1944, at Castellina, Italy (Posthumous)
Nishimoto, Joe M., Pfc., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on November 7, 1944, at La Houssiere, France (Posthumous).
Ohata, Allan M., Sgt. (later SSgt.), 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep), for actions in November 1943 at Cerasuolo, Italy.
Okutsu, Yukio, Tech. Sgt., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on April 7, 1945, at Mount Belvedere, Italy.
Ono, Frank H, Pfc., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on July 4, 1944, at Castellina, Italy (Posthumous).
Otani, Kazuo, SSgt., 442nd Infantry, for actions on July 15, 1944, at Pieve di S. Luce, Italy (Posthumous).
Sakato, George T., Pvt., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on October 29, 1944, in Biffointaine, France.
Tanouye, Ted T., Tech. Sgt., 442nd Infantry, for actions on July 7, 1944, at Molina A Ventoabbto, Italy (Posthumous).
Wai, Francis B., Capt., 34th, for actions on October 20, 1944, at Leyte, Philippine Islands (Posthumous).
LINK HERE
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor To:
Terry Teruo Kawamura. - Sergeant First Class, Army, 173d Engineer Co, 173d Airborne Brigade, 11th Air Cavalry, Action: Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam 20 March 1969. Entered service at: Oahu Hawaii. DOB: 10 Dec 1949 Wahiawa Hawaii.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Kawamura distinguished himself by heroic action while serving as a member of the 173d Engineer Company. An enemy demolition team infiltrated the unit quarters area and opened fire with automatic weapons. Disregarding the intense fire Cpl. Kawamura ran for his weapon. At that moment a violent explosion tore a hole in the roof and stunned the occupants of the room. Cpl. Kawamura jumped to his feet secured his weapon and as he ran toward the door to return the enemy fire he observed that another explosive charge had been thrown through the hole in the roof to the floor. He immediately realized that 2 stunned fellow soldiers were in great peril and shouted a warning. Although in a position to escape Cpl. Kawamura unhesitatingly wheeled around and threw himself on the charge. In completely disregarding his safety Cpl. Kawamura prevented serious injury or death to several members of his unit. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Cpl. Kawamura are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself his unit and the Army.
MIYAMURA, HIROSHI H. Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Taejon-ni, Korea, 24 and 25 April 1951. Entered service at: Gallup, N. Mex. Birth: Gallup, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 85, 4 November 1953.
Citation: Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machinegun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was sighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service.
We pay special tribute to Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura who was awarded the nation’s highest military honor for his heroic actions during the Korean Conflict. Hershey is the only living Japanese American Medal of Honor awardee [note: this article was written before the award of the MOH to numerous Japanese Americans from WWII].
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura began his life as the son of an immigrant coal mine worker in Gallup, New Mexico. He grew up in a family so typical for the Nisei before World War II. In 1944 hershey entered the U.S. Army and served a short term with the Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team just in time to return to Washington, D.C. for the ticker tape parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Returning to Gallup, New Mexico, Hershey reenlisted in the Army Reserve Corps. It was then that he married Terry Tsuchimori in 1948.
At the outbreak of the Korea War, Hershey soon found himself in Korea with the 3rd Division all the way north to the Yalu River. The Chinese then entered the war and Hershey soon found himself pushed back to Pusan. On April 24, 1951, reversing the role and pushing the Chinese north beyond the South Korean Capital of Seoul, Hershey found himself in the thick of battle with the Chinese forces that had crossed the river below his perimeter. Outnumbered, SGT Miyamura who was the squad leader of the machine gun crew, order his men to retreat to the rear while he alone kept the enemy busy with his arsenal of machine gun, rifle, and a couple of cases of hand grenades. He, himself had to abandon his position when they began dropping phosphorous bombs on him.
By now, the Chinese soldiers had his position surrounded and Hershey found himself face-to-face with the enemy. The two Asian soldiers squared off, recognized each other as the enemy by their uniforms. Miyamura had prepared himself by fixing his bayonet onto his rifle and he attached the other soldier who had a concussion grenade. When Hershey withdrew his bayonet from the other man’s body, he fell flat on his back and at the same time, the enemy grenade hit his leg. Hershey immediately kicked it away but when it exploded, a piece of shrapnel became embedded in his body. Now wounded, Hershey struggled to get away from the enemy, but he could not. He decided to play possum and laid there hoping the enemy would leave him for dead. About an hour later at daybreak, someone spoke to him in English, "Get up! You are my prisoner. We have a lenient policy for our prisoners." SGT Miyamura was now a prisoner of war.
For nearly 28 months, Hershey suffered in the prisoner of war camp coping with dysentery and malnutrition. Malnutrition caused his hair to fall out in huge clumps and night blindness was another symptom caused by lack of a proper diet.
Hershey was among the last groups to be released from the camp. On August 21, 1953, his group was placed on a truck which took them to the train station for the long awaited trip to Freedom Village located in Panmunjom, Korea.
At Freedom Village, after lengthy debriefing sessions and being checked physically, Hershey was informed of his being awarded the nation’s highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor. The Pentagon had known about his brave deeds in saving his squad while single-handedly fighting off the enemy until he was forced to retreat, and knew that his retreat came only after killing more than 50 Chinese soldiers. However, they did not disclose his actions for fear of retaliation while Hershey was being held as a prisoner of war.
Upon his return to the United States, Hershey was formally present the Medal of Honor by then President Dwight David Eisenhower in October of 1953. The ceremony took place at the White House with Hershey’s family, including his father, witnessing the impressive ceremony. The Congressional Medal of Honor winner, retired in 1984 and devotes himself to visiting his four grandchildren, and fishing (he is an avid fresh water fisherman). As an avid member of the Gallup Lions Club, he visits schools and talks to students, asking them to remember the sacrifices of the men who served when duty called, especially those who never came back.
As a member of the elite Medal of Honor Society, his has been invited to Presidential inaugurations many times, and attends reunions and conventions of veterans whenever he can. We salute Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura for his courage, dedication and extreme valor during the War in Korea.
Below is a reprint of the article regarding the actions resulting in the award of the MOH.
SGT Hiroshi H. Miyamura, a member of Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, was a machine gun squad leader and on April 24, 1951, his squad was in a defensive position near Taejon-Ni, Korea when the enemy attacked, threatening to overrun their position.
Miyamura, aware of the imminent danger to his men, unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter and wielding his bayonet in hand-to-hand combat, killed approximately ten of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation, as another assault hit the line. He manned his machine gun and delivered withering fire into the enemy’s charge until his ammunition was expended.
He ordered the squad to withdraw while he remained behind to render the machine gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation.
When the intensity of the attack required the withdrawal of the Company, Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted. Although severely wounded, he maintained his magnificent stand and continued to repel the attack until his position was overrun.
When last seen, he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers.
Miyamura was captured and spent 28 months as a prisoner. He was released on August 21, 1953. President Dwight Eisenhower presented the Medal of Honor to Miyamura at the White House. He is the only living Japanese American Congressional Medal of Honor recipient [from the Korean War]. Miyamura resides in his home town of Gallup, New Mexico
Rodney James Takashi Yano - Sergeant First Class; Army; 11th Air Cavalry Troop Armored Cavalry Regiment. Action: Near Bien Hao Republic of Vietnam 1 Jan 1969. Entered service at: Honolulu Hawaii. DOB: 13 Dec 1943, Kealakekua Kona Hawaii.
Citation: Sfc. Yano distinguished himself while serving with the Air Cavalry Troop. Sfc. Yano was performing the duties of crew chief aboard the troop's command-and-control helicopter during action against enemy forces entrenched in dense jungle. From an exposed position in the face of intense small arms and antiaircraft fire he delivered suppressive fire upon the enemy forces and marked their positions with smoke and whitephosphorous grenades thus enabling his troop commander to direct accurate and effective artillery fire against the hostile emplacements. A grenade exploding prematurely covered him with burning phosphorous and left him severely wounded. Flaming fragments within the helicopter caused supplies and ammunition to detonate. Dense white smoke filled the aircraft obscuring the pilot's vision and causing him to lose control. Although having the use of only one arm and being partially blinded by the initial explosion Sfc. Yano completely disregarded his welfare and began hurling blazing ammunition from the helicopter. In so doing he inflicted additional wounds upon himself yet he persisted until the danger was past. Sfc. Yano's indomitable courage and profound concern for his comrades averted loss of life and additional injury to the rest of the crew. By his conspicuous gallantry at the cost of his life in the highest traditions of the military service Sfc. Yano has reflected great credit on himself his unit and the Army.
Asian-Pacific Americans Receive Medals of Honor
21 Asian American World War II Vets to Get Medal of Honor
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2000 -- Twenty-one Asian American World War II heroes are scheduled to have their wartime Distinguished Service Crosses upgraded to Medals of Honor during White House ceremonies on June 21.
Seven of the 21 recipients are still living. They are: Rudolph B. Davila of Vista, Calif.; Barney F. Hajiro of Waipahu, Hawaii; Shizuya Hayashi of Pearl City, Hawaii; U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye of Honolulu, Hawaii; Yeiki Kobashigawa of Hawaii (city not available); Yukio Okutsu of Hilo, Hawaii; and George T. Sakato of Denver.
The Distinguished Service Cross was conferred on 11 of the heroes posthumously. The remaining three have died since the war.
President Clinton approved the Army's recommendations for the upgrades on May 12. Nineteen of the 21 veterans were members of the all-Japanese 100th Infantry Battalion or 442nd Regimental Combat Team -- for their size, among the most highly decorated units in U.S. military history.
The 100th, comprised mostly of Japanese American National Guardsmen from Hawaii, was the first all-Japanese American combat unit. While the 442nd was being formed in 1943, the 100th Battalion was already fighting in Italy. The 100th merged into the 442nd in 1944 and became the regiment's first battalion though it retained its unit designation.
The upgrading of the medals stems from efforts by Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who authored the provision of the 1996 Defense Authorization Act mandating a review of the service records of Asian Pacific Americans who received the Distinguished Service Cross.
"The number of nominations made by the Army and approved ... by the president underscores the reason I sought this review: to dispel any doubt about discrimination in the process of awarding the Medal of Honor," Akaka said in a press release.
He noted that the 100th and 442nd fought with incredible courage and bravery in Italy and France, well befitting the unit motto, "Go for Broke!" -- Hawaiian slang for "shoot the works." Its members earned more than 18,000 individual decorations, including one wartime Medal of Honor, 53 Distinguished Service Crosses, 9,486 Purple Hearts and seven Presidential Unit Citations, the nation's top award for combat units.
"Unfortunately, Asian Pacific Americans were not accorded full consideration for the Medal of Honor at the time of their service," said Akaka, who praised the Army and Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera for a "tremendous job conducting" the records review.
"A prevailing climate of racial prejudice against Asian Pacific Americans during World War II precluded this basic fairness, the most egregious example being the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans," Akaka said. "The bias, discrimination and hysteria of that time unfortunately had an impact on the decision to award the military's highest honor to Asian and Pacific Islanders."
Many of the Japanese Americans who served in the 442nd volunteered from internment camps, where their families had been relocated at the outbreak of war.
The 100th and 442nd fought in eight major campaigns in Italy, France and Germany, including battles at Monte Cassino, Anzio and Biffontaine.
The best-known of the 21 heroes is Inouye.
"I am deeply grateful to my nation for this extraordinary award," he said in a brief statement after learning he had been selected for the nation's highest award for valor. "The making of a man involves many mentors. If I did well, much of the credit should go to my parents, grandparents and the gallant men of my platoon. This is their medal. I will receive it on their behalf."
According to his Senate biography, Army Sgt. Inouye "slogged through nearly three bloody months of the Rome- Arno campaign with the U.S. Fifth Army and established himself as an outstanding patrol leader with the 'Go-For- Broke Regiment.'"
Inouye's unit shifted from Italy to the Vosges Mountains in France and "spent two of the bloodiest weeks of the war rescuing 'The Lost Battalion,' the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, of the Texas National Guard, which was surrounded by German forces," according to his biography.
The Japanese American unit sustained more than 800 casualties to rescue 211 Texans. The rescue is listed in the Army annals as one of the most significant military battles of the century.
"Inouye lost 10 pounds, became a platoon leader and earned the Bronze Star Medal and a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant," the bio states.
The regiment went back to Italy, and Inouye was cited for heroism while leading his platoon against the enemy at San Terenzo on April 21, 1945. Though hit in the abdomen by a bullet that came out his back and barely missed his spine, he continued to lead the platoon and advanced alone against a machine gun nest that had pinned down his men.
"He tossed two hand grenades with devastating effect before his right arm was shattered by a German rifle grenade at close range," according to the senatorial bio. "Inouye threw his last grenade with his left hand, attacked with a submachine gun and was finally knocked down the hill by a bullet in the leg."
After 20 months in Army hospitals, Inouye returned home as a captain with a Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award for military valor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster and 12 other medals and citations.
He became Hawaii's first congressman in 1959 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Inouye, a native of Honolulu, was re-elected to a full term in 1960 and won election to the U.S. Senate in 1962.
The 20 other veterans who received the Medal of Honor are:
* Staff Sgt. (later 2nd Lt.) Rudolph B. Davila, 7th Infantry, for actions on May 28, 1944, at Artena, Italy.
* Pvt. Barney F. Hajiro, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in October 1944, at Bruyeres and Biffontaine, France.
* Pvt. Mikio Hasemoto, 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions on Nov. 29, 1943, at Cerasuolo, Italy (posthumous).
* Pvt. Joe Hayashi, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions in April 1945, at Tendola, Italy.
* Pvt. Shizuya Hayashi, 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions on Nov. 29, 1943, at Cerasuolo, Italy.
* Tech. Sgt. Yeiki Kobashigawa, 100th Infantry Battalion, for action on June 2, 1944, at Lanuvio, Italy.
* Staff Sgt. Robert T. Kuroda, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on Oct. 20, 1944, at Bruyeres, France (posthumous).
* Pfc. Kaoru Moto, 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions on July 7, 1944, at Castellina, Italy (posthumous).
* Pfc. Kiyoshi K. Muranaga, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on June 26, 1944, at Suvereto, Italy (posthumous).
* Pvt. Masato Nakae, 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions on August 19, 1944, at Pisa, Italy (posthumous).
* Pvt. Shinyei Nakamine, 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions on June 2, 1944, at La Torreto, Italy (posthumous).
* Pfc. William K. Nakamura, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on July 4, 1944, at Castellina, Italy (posthumous).
* Pfc. Joe M. Nishimoto, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on Nov. 7, 1944, at La Houssiere, France (posthumous).
* Sgt. (later Staff Sgt.) Allan M. Ohata, 100th Infantry Battalion, for actions in November 1943 at Cerasuolo, Italy.
* Tech. Sgt. Yukio Okutsu, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on April 7, 1945, at Mount Belvedere, Italy.
* Pfc. Frank H. Ono, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on July 4, 1944, at Castellina, Italy (posthumous).
* Staff Sgt. Kazuo Otani, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on July 15, 1944, at Pieve di S. Luce, Italy (posthumous).
* Pvt. George T. Sakato, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on Oct. 29, 1944, in Biffointaine, France.
* Tech. Sgt. Ted T. Tanouye, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, for actions on July 7, 1944, at Molina a Ventoabbto, Italy (posthumous).
* Capt. Francis B. Wai, 34th Infantry, for actions on Oct. 20, 1944, at Leyte, Philippine Islands (posthumous).
A 22nd Medal of Honor was favorably considered for another Japanese American, James Okubo, under a separate provision of the law. The decoration can't be formally approved, however, until Congress waives the statutory time restriction in his specific case, Army officials noted.
A former Army medic, Okubo was originally recommended for the Medal of Honor but his command gave him the Silver Star Medal in the mistaken belief that was the highest award allowed. Okubo was cited for extraordinary heroism in several separate actions near Biffontaine in October and November 1944 in which he saved the lives of fellow 442nd soldiers while exposing himself to intense enemy fire.
MIYAMURA, HIROSHI H. Corporal
Rodney James Takashi Yano - Sergeant First Class;
MIYAMURA, HIROSHI H. Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Taejon-ni, Korea, 24 and 25 April 1951. Entered service at: Gallup, N. Mex. Birth: Gallup, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 85, 4 November 1953.
Citation: Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machinegun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was sighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service.
We pay special tribute to Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura who was awarded the nation’s highest military honor for his heroic actions during the Korean Conflict. Hershey is the only living Japanese American Medal of Honor awardee [note: this article was written before the award of the MOH to numerous Japanese Americans from WWII].
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura began his life as the son of an immigrant coal mine worker in Gallup, New Mexico. He grew up in a family so typical for the Nisei before World War II. In 1944 hershey entered the U.S. Army and served a short term with the Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team just in time to return to Washington, D.C. for the ticker tape parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Returning to Gallup, New Mexico, Hershey reenlisted in the Army Reserve Corps. It was then that he married Terry Tsuchimori in 1948.
At the outbreak of the Korea War, Hershey soon found himself in Korea with the 3rd Division all the way north to the Yalu River. The Chinese then entered the war and Hershey soon found himself pushed back to Pusan. On April 24, 1951, reversing the role and pushing the Chinese north beyond the South Korean Capital of Seoul, Hershey found himself in the thick of battle with the Chinese forces that had crossed the river below his perimeter. Outnumbered, SGT Miyamura who was the squad leader of the machine gun crew, order his men to retreat to the rear while he alone kept the enemy busy with his arsenal of machine gun, rifle, and a couple of cases of hand grenades. He, himself had to abandon his position when they began dropping phosphorous bombs on him.
By now, the Chinese soldiers had his position surrounded and Hershey found himself face-to-face with the enemy. The two Asian soldiers squared off, recognized each other as the enemy by their uniforms. Miyamura had prepared himself by fixing his bayonet onto his rifle and he attached the other soldier who had a concussion grenade. When Hershey withdrew his bayonet from the other man’s body, he fell flat on his back and at the same time, the enemy grenade hit his leg. Hershey immediately kicked it away but when it exploded, a piece of shrapnel became embedded in his body. Now wounded, Hershey struggled to get away from the enemy, but he could not. He decided to play possum and laid there hoping the enemy would leave him for dead. About an hour later at daybreak, someone spoke to him in English, "Get up! You are my prisoner. We have a lenient policy for our prisoners." SGT Miyamura was now a prisoner of war.
For nearly 28 months, Hershey suffered in the prisoner of war camp coping with dysentery and malnutrition. Malnutrition caused his hair to fall out in huge clumps and night blindness was another symptom caused by lack of a proper diet.
Hershey was among the last groups to be released from the camp. On August 21, 1953, his group was placed on a truck which took them to the train station for the long awaited trip to Freedom Village located in Panmunjom, Korea.
At Freedom Village, after lengthy debriefing sessions and being checked physically, Hershey was informed of his being awarded the nation’s highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor. The Pentagon had known about his brave deeds in saving his squad while single-handedly fighting off the enemy until he was forced to retreat, and knew that his retreat came only after killing more than 50 Chinese soldiers. However, they did not disclose his actions for fear of retaliation while Hershey was being held as a prisoner of war.
Upon his return to the United States, Hershey was formally present the Medal of Honor by then President Dwight David Eisenhower in October of 1953. The ceremony took place at the White House with Hershey’s family, including his father, witnessing the impressive ceremony. The Congressional Medal of Honor winner, retired in 1984 and devotes himself to visiting his four grandchildren, and fishing (he is an avid fresh water fisherman). As an avid member of the Gallup Lions Club, he visits schools and talks to students, asking them to remember the sacrifices of the men who served when duty called, especially those who never came back.
As a member of the elite Medal of Honor Society, his has been invited to Presidential inaugurations many times, and attends reunions and conventions of veterans whenever he can. We salute Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura for his courage, dedication and extreme valor during the War in Korea.
Below is a reprint of the article regarding the actions resulting in the award of the MOH.
SGT Hiroshi H. Miyamura, a member of Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, was a machine gun squad leader and on April 24, 1951, his squad was in a defensive position near Taejon-Ni, Korea when the enemy attacked, threatening to overrun their position.
Miyamura, aware of the imminent danger to his men, unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter and wielding his bayonet in hand-to-hand combat, killed approximately ten of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation, as another assault hit the line. He manned his machine gun and delivered withering fire into the enemy’s charge until his ammunition was expended.
He ordered the squad to withdraw while he remained behind to render the machine gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation.
When the intensity of the attack required the withdrawal of the Company, Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted. Although severely wounded, he maintained his magnificent stand and continued to repel the attack until his position was overrun.
When last seen, he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers.
Miyamura was captured and spent 28 months as a prisoner. He was released on August 21, 1953. President Dwight Eisenhower presented the Medal of Honor to Miyamura at the White House. He is the only living Japanese American Congressional Medal of Honor recipient [from the Korean War]. Miyamura resides in his home town of Gallup, New Mexico
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