TFH 11/29-30: First Three Japanese-American Medals of Honor of World War II

Between July 13, 1916 and September 13, 1918, three brave men were born in Hawaii to Japanese immigrant parents. These three men were all Americans by birth, and all three enlisted in the United States Army before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

All three were infantrymen with the 100th Infantry Battalion, a unit formed entirely from Nisei, or second generation (first born) Japanese-Americans. They faced discrimination and prejudice within our Army. Regardless they, and their fellow Japanese-American comrades, fought for their country with distinction and valor. The 100th Infantry Battalion would wind up World War II as one of the most decorated units, both on an individual soldier basis and as a whole.

On November 29 and 30, 1943, the 100th Battalion found itself in intense close combat with our Nazi enemy in Italy. The Germans outnumbered the 100th at the point of attack, and it was only the incredible fighting spirit and courage of our soldiers that prevented them from being overrun.

During those two days, the three American soldiers whose valor shone above all the others were Mikio Hasemoto, Shizuya Hayashi, and Allan M. Ohata.


Disgracefully, prejudice extended to recognition of non-white soldiers' courage. These three men all were decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross at the time. In the late 1990s, the Army reviewed the service records of Japanese-American (as well as African-American) award recipients to determine if any of them were denied proper recognition for their valor due to race.

On June 21, 2000, many such awards from throughout World War II were upgraded to the degree they so rightly deserved: the Medal of Honor. Sadly of the three heroes from November 1943 - the first three of twenty-one Japanese-Americans to receive the Medal for the war - only Shizuya Hayashi was still living to receive his due from a grateful nation.

*MIKIO HASEMOTO [Killed in Action, November 29, 1943]

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private Mikio Hasemoto (ASN: 30101561), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 November 1943, in the vicinity of Cerasuolo, Italy. On that date a force of approximately 40 enemy soldiers, armed with machine guns, machine pistols, rifles, and grenades, attacked the left flank of his platoon. Two enemy soldiers with machine guns advanced forward, firing their weapons. Private Hasemoto, an automatic rifleman, challenged these two machine gunners. After firing four magazines at the approaching enemy, his weapon was shot and damaged. Unhesitatingly, he ran ten yards to the rear, secured another automatic rifle and continued to fire until his weapon jammed. At this point, Private Hasemoto and his squad leader had killed approximately 20 enemy soldiers. Again, Private Hasemoto ran through a barrage of enemy machine gun fire to pick up an M-1 rifle. Continuing their fire, Private Hasemoto and his squad leader killed ten more enemy soldiers. With only three enemy soldiers left, he and his squad leader charged courageously forward, killing one, wounding one, and capturing another. The following day, Private Hasemoto continued to repel enemy attacks until he was killed by enemy fire. Private Hasemoto's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.


SHIZUYA HAYASHI [Deceased, March 12, 2008]

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Shizuya Hayashi (ASN: 30100871), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy. During a flank assault on high ground held by the enemy, Private Hayashi rose alone in the face of grenade, rifle, and machine gun fire. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he charged and overtook an enemy machine gun position, killing seven men in the nest and two more as they fled. After his platoon advanced 200 yards from this point, an enemy anti-aircraft gun opened fire on the men. Private Hayashi returned fire at the hostile position, killing nine of the enemy, taking four prisoners, and forcing the remainder of the force to withdraw from the hill. Private Hayashi's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.


ALLAN M. OHATA [Deceased, October 17, 1977]

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Allan M. Ohata (ASN: 30101888), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 and 30 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy. Sergeant Ohata, his squad leader, and three men were ordered to protect his platoon's left flank against an attacking enemy force of 40 men, armed with machine guns, machine pistols, and rifles. He posted one of his men, an automatic rifleman, on the extreme left, 15 yards from his own position. Taking his position, Sergeant Ohata delivered effective fire against the advancing enemy. The man to his left called for assistance when his automatic rifle was shot and damaged. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Ohata left his position and advanced 15 yards through heavy machine gun fire. Reaching his comrade's position, he immediately fired upon the enemy, killing ten enemy soldiers and successfully covering his comrade's withdrawal to replace his damaged weapon. Sergeant Ohata and the automatic rifleman held their position and killed 37 enemy soldiers. Both men then charged the three remaining soldiers and captured them. Later, Sergeant Ohata and the automatic rifleman stopped another attacking force of 14, killing four and wounding three while the others fled. The following day he and the automatic rifleman held their flank with grim determination and staved off all attacks. Staff Sergeant Ohata's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.


Hasemoto, Hayashi, and Ohata today all rest in peace in their native Hawaii at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.