Asian-American Medal of Honor Recipients

Asian-American

Recipients Listed Chronologically By War

A Hall Of Heroes E-Book By C. Douglas Sterner

These pages are provided by the Hall Of Heroes, Pueblo, Colorado.. Individuals may feel free to reproduce and use them in any quantity for all non-Commercial, educational or patriotic programs. Non-profit organizations may print these in quantity for fund raising purposes.

Philippine American War Jose B. Nisperos Private, U.S. Army

Born: December 30, 1887 at San Fernandos Union, Philippine Islands Entered Service: San Fernandos Union, Philippine Islands Date/Place of Action: September 24, 1911 - Lapurap, Basilan Island, P.I. Unit: 34th Company, Philippine Scouts Presentation: Presented On the Parade Grounds, Manila, Philippine Islands By Mrs. J. Franklin Bell, wife of the commanding officer on February 03, 1913 Date of Death: September 01, 1922 Buried at: New Municipal Cemetery - San Fernandos Union, Philippine Islands

Peace Time Heroism Telesfordo De La Cruz Trinidad Fireman Second Class, U.S. Navy

Born: November 25, 1890 at New Washington, Philippine Islands Entered Service: Philippine Islands Date/Place of Action: January 21, 1915 - Aboard Ship, At Sea Unit: U.S.S. San Diego Presentation: Presented in August, 1915 Date of Death: May 08, 1968 Buried at: Imus Cemetery - Imus, Cavite, Philippine Islands

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During and immediately after World War II, only two Asian-Americans were awarded Medals of Honor: Philippine Scout Jose Calugas and Nisei hero Sadao Munemori of the 34th Infantry Division. Meanwhile, the all Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team generated an unprecedented record of valor, earning 33 Distinguished Service Crosses, 559 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, nearly 10,000 Purple Hearts and EIGHT Presidential Unit Citations. Fifty years after the war, Congress ordered a review of all high awards to these brave soldiers to determine if some of them should have received the Medal of Honor. Following the review, 22 Asian-Americans saw their awards upgraded to Medals of Honor. All but two of these awards went to men of the 100th Infantry (known as the Purple Heart Battalion) or its parent 442nd RCT known as the Go For Broke Regiment. On June 21, 2000 President William Clinton presented Medals of Honor to seven of these heroes who were still living, and to family members of the other fifteen.

Jose Calugas Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: December 29, 1907 at Barrio Tagsing, Leon, Iloilo, Philippine Islands Entered Service: Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands Date/Place of Action: January 16, 1942 - Culis, Bataan Province, Philippine Islands Unit: Philippine Scouts, Battery B, 1st Bn, 88th Field Artillery, 23d Division Presentation: Presented At Pampanga, Camp Olivas, Philippine Islands By General George C. Marshall on April 30, 1945 Date of Death: January 18, 1998 Buried at:

Mikio Hasemoto Private, U.S. Army

Born: July 13, 1916 at Honolulu, Hawaii Entered Service: Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: November 29, 1943 - Cerasuolo, Italy Unit: Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: November 29, 1943 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

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Allan M. Ohata Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: September 13, 1918 at Honolulu, Hawaii Entered Service: Honolulu, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: November 29 & 30, 1943 - Cerasuolo, Italy Unit: Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: October 17, 1977 Buried at:

Shizuya Cesar Hayashi Private, U.S. Army

Born: November 28, 1917 at Waiakea, Oahu, HI Entered Service: Schofield Barracks, HI Date/Place of Action: November 29, 1943 - Cerasuolo, Italy Unit: Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) Presentation: Presented At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Currently Living in Hawaii

Rudolph B. Davila Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: April 27, 1916 at El Paso, TX Entered Service: Los Angeles, CA Date/Place of Action: May 28, 1944 - Artena, Italy Unit: Company H, 7th Infantry Presentation: Presented At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: January 26, 2002 Buried at:

Shinyei Nakamine Private, U.S. Army

Born: January 21, 1920 at Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii Entered Service: Honolulu, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: June 2, 1944 - La Torreto, Italy Unit: Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: June 2, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

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Yeiki Kobashigawa Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: September 28, 1917 at Hilo, HI Entered Service: Honolulu, HI Date/Place of Action: June 2, 1944 - Lanuvio, Italy Unit: Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) Presentation: Presented At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Currently Living in Hawaii

Kiyoshi K. Muranaga Private First Class, U.S. Army

Born: February 16, 1922 at Los Angeles, CA Entered Service: Ameche, CO Date/Place of Action: June 26, 1944 - Suvereto, Italy Unit: Company F, 442d Infantry Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: June 26, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

Frank H. Ono Private First Class, U.S. Army

Born: June 6, 1923 at North Judson, IN Entered Service: Indianapolis, IN Date/Place of Action: July 4, 1944 - Castellina, Italy Unit: Company G, 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: May 6, 1980 Buried at: William Kenzo Nakamura Private First Class, U.S. Army

Born: January 21, 1922 at Seattle, WA Entered Service: Minidoka Relocation Center, Hunt, ID Date/Place of Action: July 4, 1944 - Castellina, Italy Unit: Company G, 442d Infantry Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: July 4, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at: Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery - Seattle, WA

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Ted T. Tanouye Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: November 14, 1919 at Torrance, CA Entered Service: Fort MacArthur, CA Date/Place of Action: July 7, 1944 - Molina A. Ventoabbto, Italy Unit: Company K, 442d Infantry Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: October 19, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

Kaoru Moto Private First Class, U.S. Army

Born: April 25, 1917 at Spreckelsville, Hawaii Entered Service: Spreckelsville, Maui, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: July 7, 1944 - Castellina, Italy Unit: Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: August 26, 1992 Buried at: National Memorial of the Pacific - Honolulu, HI

Kazuo Otani Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: June 2, 1918 at Visalia, CA Entered Service: Rivers Relocation Center, AZ Date/Place of Action: July 15, 1944 - Pieve di S. Luce, Italy Unit: Company G, 442d Infantry Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: July 15, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

Masato Nakae Private, U.S. Army

Born: at Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii Entered Service: Honolulu, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: August 19, 1944 - Pisa, Italy Unit: Company A, 100th/442d Infantry Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: 1998 Buried at:

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Barney F. Hahiro Private, U.S. Army

Born: September 16, 1916 at Punene, Maui, Hawaii Entered Service: Honolulu, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: October 19, 22, & 29, 1944 - Bruyeres and Biffontaine, France Unit: Company I, 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Currently Living In Hawaii

Robert T. Kuroda Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: November 8, 1922 at Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii Entered Service: Honolulu, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: October 20, 1944 - Bruyeres, France Unit: Company H, 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: October 20, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

Francis B. Wai Captain, U.S. Army

Born: April 14, 1917 at Honolulu, Hawaii Entered Service: Honolulu, Hawaii Date/Place of Action: October 20, 1944 - Leyte, Philippine Islands Unit: Headquarters, 34th Infantry Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: October 20, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at: National Memorial of the Pacific - Honolulu, HI *Captain Wai is the ONLY Korean-American to receive the Medal of Honor

James K. Okubo Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army

Born: May 30, 1920 Entered Service: Bellingham, WA Date/Place of Action: October 28 - 29, 1944 - Biffontaine, France Unit: 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: 1967 Buried at:

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George T. Sakato Private, U.S. Army

Born: February 19, 1921 at Colton, California Entered Service: Glendale, Arizona Date/Place of Action: October 29, 1944 - Biffontaine, France Unit: Company E, 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Currently Living in Colorado

Joe M. Nishimoto Private First Class, U.S. Army

Born: 1920 at Fresno, CA Entered Service: Marion, OH Date/Place of Action: November 7, 1944 - La Houssiere, France Unit: Company G. 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: November 15, 1944 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

Sadao S. Munemori Private First Class, U.S. Army

Born: August 17, 1922 at Los Angeles, CA Entered Service: Los Angeles, CA Date/Place of Action: April 05, 1945 - Seravezza, Italy Unit: Company A, 100th Infantry Bn, 34th Infantry Division Presentation: Presented To His Mother on March 13, 1946 Date of Death: April 05, 1945 (Killed In Action) Buried at: Evergreen Cemetery - Los Angeles, CA

Yukio Okutsu Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: November 3, 1921 at Koloa, Kauai, HI Entered Service: Koloa, Kaui, HI Date/Place of Action: April 7, 1945 - Mount Belvedere, Italy Unit: Company F, 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Currently Living in Hawaii

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Joe Hayashi Private, U.S. Army

Born: August 14, 1920 at Salinas, CA Entered Service: Pasadena, CA Date/Place of Action: April 20 & 22, 1945 - Tendola, Italy Unit: Company K, 442d Regimental Combat Team Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Date of Death: April 22, 1945 (Killed In Action) Buried at:

Daniel K. Inouye Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Born: September 7, 1924 at Honolulu, HI Entered Service: Honolulu, HI Date/Place of Action: April 21, 1945 - San Terenzo, Italy Unit: Company E, 442d Infantry Presentation: Presented At the White House By President William J. Clinton on June 21, 2000 Currently serving as the U.S. Senator from Hawaii

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Hiroshi H. Miyamura Corporal, U.S. Army

Born: October 06, 1925 at Gallup, NM Entered Service: Gallup, NM Date/Place of Action: April 24 & 25, 1951 - Taejon-ni, Korea Unit: Company H, 2d Bn, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division Presentation: Presented At the White House By President Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 27, 1953 Currently Living in New Mexico

Leroy A. Mendonca Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: August 02, 1932 at Honolulu, HI Entered Service: Honolulu, HI Date/Place of Action: July 04, 1951 - Chich-on, Korea Unit: Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division Presentation: Presented To His Mother At The Pentagon By General Omar N. Bradley on August 14, 1952 Date of Death: July 04, 1951 (Killed In Action) Buried at: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - Honolulu, HI Herbert K. Pililaau Private First Class, U.S. Army

Born: October 10, 1928 at Waianae, HI Entered Service: Oahu, HI Date/Place of Action: September 17, 1951 - Pia-ri, Korea Unit: Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division Presentation: Presented To His Father At The Pentagon By Secretary of the Army Frank C. Pace on March 26, 1952 Date of Death: September 17, 1951 (Killed In Action) Buried at: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - Honolulu, HI

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Elmelindo Rogrigues Smith Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: July 27, 1935 at Honolulu, HI Entered Service: Honolulu, HI Date/Place of Action: February 16, 1967 - Vietnam Unit: Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division Presentation: Presented To His Family at the Pentagon by Secretary of the Army Stanley A. Resor on October 03, 1968 Date of Death: February 16, 1967 (Killed In Action) Buried at: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - Honolulu, HI

Rodney James Tadashi Yano First Sergeant, U.S. Army

Born: December 13, 1943 at Kealakekua Kona, HI Entered Service: Honolulu, HI Date/Place of Action: January 01, 1969 - Bien Hoa, Vietnam Unit: Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President Richard M. Nixon on April 07, 1970 Date of Death: January 01, 1969 (Killed In Action) Buried at: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - Honolulu, HI

Terry Teruo Kawamura Corporal, U.S. Army

Born: December 10, 1949 at Wahiawa, HI Entered Service: Oahu, HI Date/Place of Action: March 20, 1969 - Camp Radcliff, Vietnam Unit: 173d Engineer Company, 173d Airborne Brigade Presentation: Presented To His Family At the White House By President Richard M. Nixon on February 16, 1971 Date of Death: March 20, 1969 (Killed In Action) Buried at: Mililani Memorial Park - Pearl City, HI

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