Nisei Soldiers Showered with Silver, Bronze Stars
Title
Nisei Soldiers Showered with Silver, Bronze Stars
Creator
Heart Mountain Sentinel editorial staff
Source
Periodical: Heart Mountain Sentinel
volume: IV
number: 14
pages: 1
31 March, 1945
volume: IV
number: 14
pages: 1
31 March, 1945
Language
eng
Text
A literal shower of Silver and Bronze Star medals fell upon American soldiers of Japanese ancestry for their outstanding performance with the Sixth Army group, Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Denvers, commanding general announced this week.
Seven Silver Stars, one with Oak Leaf cluster, and 17 Bronze Stars, two with Oak Leaf clusters, were presented, bringing the total number of such awards won by the Nisei combat team to 81 Silver Stars and 113 Bronze Stars.
Besides these awards, the Nisei fighters have won 21 Distinguished Service Crosses, six Legions of Merit; seven Soldiers medals, 79 division citations, two War Department Distinguished service unit citations and 1546 Purple Hearts.
Mainlanders winning citations, include: Silver Star, to PVT. George Sakaguchi, son of Mrs. Kikuye Sakaguchi, 1-3-AB, Heart Mountain Wyo. "...for gallantry in action on 18 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyers, France, while a member of an artillery forward observer party. During an attack on strongly held enemy positions, when the forward observer and his assistant were seriously injured in an enemy barrage, Private Sakaguchi voluntarily left his foxhole and dashed through an exposed area of 200 yards in the midst of exploding shells and flying fragments to go to the aid of his wounded comrades. While still subject to heavy enemy fire he rendered first aid, and later helped to evacuate the casualties to the aid station. Private Sakguchi's consideration for the safety of his comrades in the (Continued on Page 5)
(Continued from page 1) face of extreme danger reflects credit upon himself and the United States army."
FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER to the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to PFC, SETSUO J. MATSUURA, POTLATCH, Idaho. -"... for heroic achievement in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, on 8 November 1944. Private Matauura, with utter disregard for his personal safety, left his covered position to administer first aid to a comrade who was seriously wounded in the chest during a heavy enemy artillery barrage. Noticing that the patient's condition required immediate evacuation, he hastily placed him on his back and carried him 200 yards through the shelling to the forward medical aid station. This prompt action saved the life of the wounded soldier."
SILVER STAR, to SGT. JIMMIE K. MOTOYAMA, ARVADA, Nev. -" ... for gallantry in action on 27 October 1944 in France. When his platoon was pined down and cut off from the remainder of the company by the fire of superior enemy force, Sergeant Motoyama voluntarily took command. Placing another man in charge of the platoon, he crept, crawled and ran from tree to tree for a distance of 500 yards to contact the remainder of the company for aid. With men from the weapons and first platoons he returned to his unit to give covering fire which would enable to platoon to withdraw to safer positions. Disregarding his personal safety he made his way from foxhole to foxhole to instruct each of the men in the plan of withdraw, and with excellent covering fire from the reinforcements the platoon and the wounded were able to reach safety."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to S/SGT. GIMEI TAKAESU MADISON, Wis. "...for heroic achievement during the assault on Biffontaine, France on 22 October 1944. Sergeant Takaesu led a seven- man patrol across two streets under hostile observation and fire and succeeded in capturing eight of its defenders. In addition two vehicles equipped with radios, and one loaded with rifles were captured. That night the group was counter-attacked by the enemy in platoon strength supported by tanks and anti-tank guns. In the face of strong opposition offered by Sergeant Takaesu and his men the enemy was forced to withdraw."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL to S/SGT. MASHARU OKUMURA, RIVERS, Ariz. "... for heroic achievement on 14 November 1944, in France. When two riflemen were severely wounded 25 yards from an enemy strongpoint, Sergeant Okumura disregarded enemy machine gun fire to go to their aid. He then brought the men to cover, rendered first aid and again exposed himself to the enemy fire to crawl back to his post. Later, when his patrol leader was seriously wounded in the head, Sergeant Okumura sent his men to a safer position, attended to the injured man's wounds and remained with him until he could be safely evacuated."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL to S/SGT. DAVID M. ITO, SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, whose parents formerly lived at Heart Mountain, Wyo. - "... for heroic achievement in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, on 17 October 1944. With an aid man, Sergeant Ito dashed under a heavy concentration of enemy artillery fire to treat five seriously wounded men. Together the two proficiently gave first aid to all the wounded soldiers while the barrage continued unabated, and then carried them to a position where litter squads could evacuate them to the aid station. The outstanding courage and concern for the welfare of his comrades displayed by Sergeant Ito are exemplary of the high traditions of the United States army."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL to SGT. KATSUMI L. TAKASU - GI, LOS ANGELES Calif. - "... for heroic achievement during the assault on Biffontaine, France, on 22 October, 1944. Sergeant Takasugi was a member of a seven-man patrol which crossed two streets under hostile observation and fire and succeeded in capturing an enemy strongpoint, killing three and capturing eight of its defenders. In addition, two vehicles equipped with radios, and one loaded with rifles, were captured. That night the group was counter-attacked by the enemy in platoon strength supported by tanks and anti-tank guns. In the face of strong opposition offered by Sgt. Takasugi and the others the enemy was forced to withdraw."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PFC. TSUGIO YAMADA, MONTEREY, Calif.-"...for heroic achievement on 6 November1944, in France. When a boulder rolled over his comrade's slit trench, painfully crushing him and leaving him partly exposed to enemy fire, Private Yamada and another rifleman attempted to extricate him. In spite of the continuous mortar and artillery barrage, Private Yamada and the other rifleman, not wishing to expose others to the enemy fire, worked alone until they succeeded in freeing the injured man from the crushing weight. While his comrade administered first aid, Private Yamada returned to his battalion under fire and through minefields, obtained a litter and came back to evacuate the wounded man."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PFC. TERUO NOBORI, SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. " ...for heroic achievement on 1 November 1944, in France. Private Norbori, one of the radio men for company "L", remained with his company command group throughout the company's attack on a hill to keep his commanding officer in constant contact with the battalion command post. On several occasions he exposed himself to enemy fire to crawl to the commanding officer to deliver important messages to him personally. When his radio became too weak to receive messages and the telephone lines were ruptured by shellfire, he crept through the dense forest, under enemy fire for 500 yards, until he located and repaired the break in the wire."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PFC. TAKASHI WADA, MONTEREY, Calif. "...for heroic achievement on 6 November 1944, in France. When a bounder rolled over his comrade's slit trench, painfully crushing him and leaving him partly exposed to enemy fire, Private Wada and another rifleman attempted to extricate him. In spite of the continuing mortar and artillery barrage, he and the other rifleman, not wishing to expose others to the enemy fire, worked alone until they succeeded in freeing the injured man from the crushing weight; while his companion went in search for a litter, Private Wada administered first aid to the injured man, and upon his comrade's return evacuated the patient to the aid station for further treatment."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PVT. HARRY J TERASAKI, EXETER, Calif. "...for heroic achievement during the assault on Biffontaine, France, on 22 October 1944. Private Terasaki was a member of a seven-man patrol which crossed two streets under hostile observation and fire and succeeded in capturing and enemy strong-point, killing three and capturing eight of its defenders. In addition, two vehicles equipped with radios, and one loaded with rifles, were captured. That night the group was counter-attacked by the enemy in platoon strength, supported by tanks and anti-tank guns. In the face of strong opposition offered by Private Terasaki and the others, the enemy was forced to withdraw.
Seven Silver Stars, one with Oak Leaf cluster, and 17 Bronze Stars, two with Oak Leaf clusters, were presented, bringing the total number of such awards won by the Nisei combat team to 81 Silver Stars and 113 Bronze Stars.
Besides these awards, the Nisei fighters have won 21 Distinguished Service Crosses, six Legions of Merit; seven Soldiers medals, 79 division citations, two War Department Distinguished service unit citations and 1546 Purple Hearts.
Mainlanders winning citations, include: Silver Star, to PVT. George Sakaguchi, son of Mrs. Kikuye Sakaguchi, 1-3-AB, Heart Mountain Wyo. "...for gallantry in action on 18 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyers, France, while a member of an artillery forward observer party. During an attack on strongly held enemy positions, when the forward observer and his assistant were seriously injured in an enemy barrage, Private Sakaguchi voluntarily left his foxhole and dashed through an exposed area of 200 yards in the midst of exploding shells and flying fragments to go to the aid of his wounded comrades. While still subject to heavy enemy fire he rendered first aid, and later helped to evacuate the casualties to the aid station. Private Sakguchi's consideration for the safety of his comrades in the (Continued on Page 5)
(Continued from page 1) face of extreme danger reflects credit upon himself and the United States army."
FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER to the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to PFC, SETSUO J. MATSUURA, POTLATCH, Idaho. -"... for heroic achievement in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, on 8 November 1944. Private Matauura, with utter disregard for his personal safety, left his covered position to administer first aid to a comrade who was seriously wounded in the chest during a heavy enemy artillery barrage. Noticing that the patient's condition required immediate evacuation, he hastily placed him on his back and carried him 200 yards through the shelling to the forward medical aid station. This prompt action saved the life of the wounded soldier."
SILVER STAR, to SGT. JIMMIE K. MOTOYAMA, ARVADA, Nev. -" ... for gallantry in action on 27 October 1944 in France. When his platoon was pined down and cut off from the remainder of the company by the fire of superior enemy force, Sergeant Motoyama voluntarily took command. Placing another man in charge of the platoon, he crept, crawled and ran from tree to tree for a distance of 500 yards to contact the remainder of the company for aid. With men from the weapons and first platoons he returned to his unit to give covering fire which would enable to platoon to withdraw to safer positions. Disregarding his personal safety he made his way from foxhole to foxhole to instruct each of the men in the plan of withdraw, and with excellent covering fire from the reinforcements the platoon and the wounded were able to reach safety."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to S/SGT. GIMEI TAKAESU MADISON, Wis. "...for heroic achievement during the assault on Biffontaine, France on 22 October 1944. Sergeant Takaesu led a seven- man patrol across two streets under hostile observation and fire and succeeded in capturing eight of its defenders. In addition two vehicles equipped with radios, and one loaded with rifles were captured. That night the group was counter-attacked by the enemy in platoon strength supported by tanks and anti-tank guns. In the face of strong opposition offered by Sergeant Takaesu and his men the enemy was forced to withdraw."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL to S/SGT. MASHARU OKUMURA, RIVERS, Ariz. "... for heroic achievement on 14 November 1944, in France. When two riflemen were severely wounded 25 yards from an enemy strongpoint, Sergeant Okumura disregarded enemy machine gun fire to go to their aid. He then brought the men to cover, rendered first aid and again exposed himself to the enemy fire to crawl back to his post. Later, when his patrol leader was seriously wounded in the head, Sergeant Okumura sent his men to a safer position, attended to the injured man's wounds and remained with him until he could be safely evacuated."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL to S/SGT. DAVID M. ITO, SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, whose parents formerly lived at Heart Mountain, Wyo. - "... for heroic achievement in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, on 17 October 1944. With an aid man, Sergeant Ito dashed under a heavy concentration of enemy artillery fire to treat five seriously wounded men. Together the two proficiently gave first aid to all the wounded soldiers while the barrage continued unabated, and then carried them to a position where litter squads could evacuate them to the aid station. The outstanding courage and concern for the welfare of his comrades displayed by Sergeant Ito are exemplary of the high traditions of the United States army."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL to SGT. KATSUMI L. TAKASU - GI, LOS ANGELES Calif. - "... for heroic achievement during the assault on Biffontaine, France, on 22 October, 1944. Sergeant Takasugi was a member of a seven-man patrol which crossed two streets under hostile observation and fire and succeeded in capturing an enemy strongpoint, killing three and capturing eight of its defenders. In addition, two vehicles equipped with radios, and one loaded with rifles, were captured. That night the group was counter-attacked by the enemy in platoon strength supported by tanks and anti-tank guns. In the face of strong opposition offered by Sgt. Takasugi and the others the enemy was forced to withdraw."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PFC. TSUGIO YAMADA, MONTEREY, Calif.-"...for heroic achievement on 6 November1944, in France. When a boulder rolled over his comrade's slit trench, painfully crushing him and leaving him partly exposed to enemy fire, Private Yamada and another rifleman attempted to extricate him. In spite of the continuous mortar and artillery barrage, Private Yamada and the other rifleman, not wishing to expose others to the enemy fire, worked alone until they succeeded in freeing the injured man from the crushing weight. While his comrade administered first aid, Private Yamada returned to his battalion under fire and through minefields, obtained a litter and came back to evacuate the wounded man."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PFC. TERUO NOBORI, SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. " ...for heroic achievement on 1 November 1944, in France. Private Norbori, one of the radio men for company "L", remained with his company command group throughout the company's attack on a hill to keep his commanding officer in constant contact with the battalion command post. On several occasions he exposed himself to enemy fire to crawl to the commanding officer to deliver important messages to him personally. When his radio became too weak to receive messages and the telephone lines were ruptured by shellfire, he crept through the dense forest, under enemy fire for 500 yards, until he located and repaired the break in the wire."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PFC. TAKASHI WADA, MONTEREY, Calif. "...for heroic achievement on 6 November 1944, in France. When a bounder rolled over his comrade's slit trench, painfully crushing him and leaving him partly exposed to enemy fire, Private Wada and another rifleman attempted to extricate him. In spite of the continuing mortar and artillery barrage, he and the other rifleman, not wishing to expose others to the enemy fire, worked alone until they succeeded in freeing the injured man from the crushing weight; while his companion went in search for a litter, Private Wada administered first aid to the injured man, and upon his comrade's return evacuated the patient to the aid station for further treatment."
BRONZE STAR MEDAL, to PVT. HARRY J TERASAKI, EXETER, Calif. "...for heroic achievement during the assault on Biffontaine, France, on 22 October 1944. Private Terasaki was a member of a seven-man patrol which crossed two streets under hostile observation and fire and succeeded in capturing and enemy strong-point, killing three and capturing eight of its defenders. In addition, two vehicles equipped with radios, and one loaded with rifles, were captured. That night the group was counter-attacked by the enemy in platoon strength, supported by tanks and anti-tank guns. In the face of strong opposition offered by Private Terasaki and the others, the enemy was forced to withdraw.
