FEATURED CMOH SOLDIER - BARNEY FUSHIMI HAJIRO

                        CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF  HONOR SOCIETY

                                       c2004 Used with Permission

                                               BARNEY FUSHIMI HAJIRO

World War II - U.S. Army

DETAILS

RANK: PRIVATE

CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR II UNIT/COMMAND:

COMPANY I,

442D REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY

MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: OCTOBER 29, 1944

MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: IN THE VICINITY OF BRUYERES AND BIFFONTAINE, FRANCE

CITATION

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19

October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro's heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS      
 

ACCREDITED TO: HONOLULU, OAHU, HONOLULU COUNTY, HAWAII AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO

PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: JUNE 21, 2000

THE WHITE HOUSE - PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON BORN: SEPTEMBER 16, 1916, PUUNENE, MAUI COUNTY, HI

DIED: JANUARY 21, 2011, HI, UNITED STATES

BURIED: NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC, HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES