TFH 1/1: SFC Rodney J. T. Yano, USA

Rodney Jamus Takahashi Yano was born in Kealakekua Kona, Hawaii on December 13, 1943. He joined the United States Army in 1963, and by New Year's Day 1969 was a helicopter crew chief with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, "Blackhorse", with the rank of Sergeant First Class. The 11th ACR fought in Vietnam from 1966-1972.

On this day in 1969, SFC Yano's helicopter was marking enemy positions with smoke and white phosphorous incendiaries for attack by other units and acting as a door gunner when one of the "WP" grenades detonated within the aircraft. Yano was set aflame by the burning phosphorous and incurred further wounds that would prove mortal as he sacrificed himself to save his comrades and the helicopter as he threw burning ammunition overboard. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (M-Z):


*YANO, RODNEY J. T.

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Place and date: Near Bien Hao, Republic of Vietnam, 1 January 1969. Entered service at: Honolulu, Hawaii. Born: 13 December 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 white phosphorous 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 1 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 U.S. Army.

SFC Yano's remains rest in peace at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.  His name appears on Panel 35W, Line 18 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

The USNS Yano (T-AKR-297) is a large medium speed roll-on/roll-off cargo ship of the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command. She has been in service since February 8, 1997 and supports the logistical needs of Army and Marine Corps deployments worldwide.

Today's Blackhorse soldiers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment prepare their fellow soldiers for combat on distant battlefields as the "opposing force" or "OPFOR" at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. Blackhorse units have also deployed in recent years for combat and training purposes to both Iraq and Afghanistan.