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List of Asian Pacific American Medal of Honor recipients facts for kids

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The Medal of Honor is the highest award a member of the United States military can receive. It was created during the American Civil War. This special medal is given to soldiers, sailors, and airmen who show extreme bravery. They must risk their own lives far beyond what is expected, especially when fighting an enemy. Because of how brave these actions are, the medal is often given after the person has passed away.

As of 2023, 3,515 Medals of Honor have been awarded. Out of these, 36 have been given to Asian-American service members.

The very first person of Asian or Pacific Islander background to get the Medal was James Smith. He was from Hawaii and received the medal in 1872 during peacetime. The first Asian-American to receive it was Charles J. Simons. He earned it in 1896 for his actions in 1864 during the American Civil War.

In 1996, a special study found that some Asian Pacific American soldiers were not fairly recognized during World War II. Because of this, 22 of their medals were upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Before these upgrades, the most recent Asian-American recipient was Rodney Yano, who received it for his actions in the Vietnam War.

In 2022, President Joe Biden awarded four Medals of Honor to Vietnam War veterans. Two of these went to Asian-American veterans, Edward N. Kaneshiro and Dennis Fujii. This was the first time Asian-American soldiers received the medal in 26 years.

As of 2023, Dennis Fujii is the only living Asian-American person who has received the Medal of Honor.

Brave Actions in Early Wars and Peacetime

This section tells about the first Asian-American and Pacific Islander Medal of Honor recipients. Their brave actions happened during the American Civil War and in times of peace.

  • James Smith was the first person of Asian/Pacific Islander background to get the Medal of Honor. He received it in 1872.
  • Sergeant Charles J. Simons was the first person of Asian descent to receive the Medal of Honor. He was Indian-American. Simons earned his medal in 1896 for his actions during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864.
Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action Unit Notes
Charles Jenks Simons c1900 public domain USGov.jpg Simons, Charles J.Charles J. Simons Army Sergeant July 30, 1864 Petersburg, Virginia 9th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment He was the first to enter the exploded crater. He captured many enemy soldiers. He was captured himself but later escaped.
—
 James Smith Navy Seaman April 12, 1872 Greytown, Nicaragua USS Kansas He showed amazing calm and heroism. He prevented many lives from being lost.

Philippine-American War Heroes

The Philippine–American War was a conflict between the United States and the First Philippine Republic. It lasted from 1899 to at least 1902. This war happened because Filipinos wanted to be free from U.S. control.

During this war, one Asian American, José Nísperos, received the Medal of Honor. He kept fighting even after being badly wounded.

Telesforo Trinidad received a Medal of Honor later during peacetime. He saved two men from a dangerous boiler explosion. He was the second and last Asian-American service member to receive the medal during peacetime.

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action Unit Notes
—
 Nísperos, José B.José B. Nísperos Army Private September 24, 1911 Lapurap, Basilan Philippine Scouts He was seriously wounded but kept fighting until the enemy was pushed back.
Middle aged Filipino American male wearing a white suite with a neck order medal, and two other medals on the lapel. Trinidad, TelesforoTelesforo Trinidad Navy Fireman Second Class January 21, 1915 aboard USS San Diego USS San Diego He saved two men after a boiler exploded, even though he was injured.

World War II: Recognizing Heroes

World War II was a huge global conflict. It started in Asia in 1937 and in Europe in 1939. Most countries in the world joined one of two sides: the Allies or the Axis powers. Over 100 million military people were involved. It was the deadliest conflict in history, with over 60 million people killed. The Allies won the war.

During World War II, 464 U.S. military members received the Medal of Honor. Only two Asian Americans were given the medal by the end of the war. They were Sergeant Jose Calugas and Private Sadao S. Munemori.

In 1996, the United States Army looked into whether there was racial unfairness in awarding medals during World War II. The study found that many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who received a lower medal, the Distinguished Service Cross, should have received the Medal of Honor. On June 21, 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded the Medal of Honor to 22 Asian Americans. Twenty-one of these were from the study.

Out of the 24 Asian-American awardees, 21 served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team or its part, the 100th Infantry Battalion. This makes the 442nd the most decorated unit of its size in the war. Only two Asian-American officers received the Medal of Honor in World War II. Captain Francis B. Wai drew enemy fire to himself to show where they were hiding. Second Lieutenant Daniel Inouye destroyed two machine gun nests and kept fighting after being wounded. Inouye later became the first U.S. Representative for Hawaii. He was also the first Japanese American congressman. He served as a U.S. senator for Hawaii from 1963 until he passed away in 2012.

      This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously (after death).

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action Unit Notes
Filipino male in World War II Army Khaki uniform saluting. Calugas, JoseJose Calugas Army Sergeant January 16, 1942 Culis, Bataan Province, Philippines 88-00-0088th Field Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts Under heavy fire, he organized and led a gun crew. The original crew had been killed or wounded.
A young man in his army dress uniform with no hat. He appears to be in a seated position and is smiling. Davila, Rudolph B.Rudolph B. Davila Army Staff Sergeant May 28, 1944 Artena, Italy 07-03-007th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division He led his unit by being a great example. Even though he was wounded, he attacked an enemy-held house by himself.
A young man in his army dress uniform. He is sitting and staring forward towards the camera with and he is not smiling. He has a high brimmed hat. Hajiro, Barney F.Barney F. Hajiro Army Private October 19, 1944 –
October 22, 1944,
and
October 29, 1944		 near Bruyères and Biffontaine, eastern France 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He helped attack a house and captured a larger enemy force. He also silenced two machine gun nests by himself.
The head and shoulders of a young man in his Army dress uniform. He is standing and staring forward towards the camera with his hat cocked to the side. Hasemoto, MikioMikio Hasemoto* Army Private November 29, 1943 Cerasuolo, Italy 00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion With his squad leader, he destroyed an enemy force. He had to run through heavy fire twice to get new weapons.
Head and shoulders of a smiling young man wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket with chevrons on the upper sleeve over a shirt and tie Hayashi, JoeJoe Hayashi* Army Private April 20, 1945,
and
April 22, 1945		 Cerasuolo, Italy 442nd Regimental Combat Team He led an attack on strong enemy positions. He silenced three machine guns by himself.
Head of a man with ruffled hair wearing a light colored shirt and tie. Hayashi, ShizuyaShizuya Hayashi Army Private November 29, 1943 Cerasuolo, Italy 00-100-00100th Infantry Battalion He silenced a machine gun nest and an anti-aircraft gun by himself.
An older man wearing a suit with an American and Hawaiian flag in the background. He is seated and is staring forward toward the camera. Inouye, DanielDaniel Inouye Army Second Lieutenant April 21, 1945 near San Terenzo, Italy 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He destroyed two machine gun nests by himself. He kept fighting and leading his platoon after being wounded.
Head of a man wearing a garrison cap and a tie and shirt with a crossed-rifles pin on the collar. Kobashigawa, YeikiYeiki Kobashigawa Army Technical Sergeant June 2, 1944 near Lanuvio, Italy 00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion He led successful attacks on four machine gun positions.
Head of a man wearing a garrison cap and a light colored shirt and tie. Kuroda, Robert T.Robert T. Kuroda* Army Staff Sergeant October 20, 1944 near Bruyeres, France 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He destroyed two machine gun positions by himself.
An older man in his military uniform with a hat on. There is a house and a tree in the background. He is looking forward at the camera. Moto, KaoruKaoru Moto* Army Private First Class July 7, 1944 near Castellina, Italy 00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion He attacked two machine guns by himself. Even though he was wounded, he captured a third.
Head and shoulders of a smiling young man wearing a garrison cap and a shirt and tie, the bottom of the tie tucked into the shirt between the buttons. Munemori, SadaoSadao Munemori* Army Private First Class April 5, 1945 near Seravezza, Italy 00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team He threw himself on an exploding grenade to save his fellow soldiers.
Head and shoulders of a young man looking directly at the camera and wearing a garrison cap and dark colored military jacket over a shirt and tie. The outer half of his left eyebrow is missing. Muranaga, KiyoshiKiyoshi Muranaga* Army Private First Class June 26, 1944 near Suvereto, Italy 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He attacked an artillery gun alone, using a mortar.
Head of a man with a subdued smile wearing a garrison cap tilted over his left ear and a military jacket over a shirt and tie. Nakae, MasatoMasato Nakae* Army Private August 19, 1944 near Pisa, Italy 00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team He held off an enemy attack. He kept fighting after being wounded.
Head and shoulders of a young man standing erect, wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket over a shirt and tie. Nakamine, ShinyeiShinyei Nakamine* Army Private June 2, 1944 near La Torreto, Italy 00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion He destroyed a machine gun nest by himself. He also led attacks on two others.
Head of a smiling young man wearing a peaked cap with a round medallion on the front and a military jacket over a shirt and tie. Nakamura, WilliamWilliam Nakamura* Army Private First Class July 4, 1944 near Castellina, Italy 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He silenced a machine gun nest. He stayed behind to provide covering fire as his unit pulled back.
Head and shoulders of a smiling young man with dimples and round wire-framed glasses wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket over a shirt and tie. Nishimoto, Joe M.Joe M. Nishimoto* Army Private First Class November 7, 1944 near La Houssiere, France 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He neutralized three machine gun positions by himself.
—
 Ohata, Allan M.Allan M. Ohata* Army Sergeant November 29, 1943 –
November 30, 1943		 near Cerasuolo, Italy 00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion Together with another soldier, he held back a larger enemy attack.
Head and shoulders of a young man with a bright smile and neatly combed hair wearing what appears to be a graduation gown over a shirt and tie. Okubo, James K.James K. Okubo* Army Technician Fifth Grade October 28, 1944 –
October 29, 1944,
and
November 4, 1944		 Foret Domaniale de Champ, near Biffontaine, France 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He repeatedly went into heavy fire to treat and move wounded men.
Head and shoulders of an elderly man wearing a white button shirt with an emblem on the left breast Okutsu, YukioYukio Okutsu Army Technical Sergeant April 7, 1945 Mount Belvedere, Italy 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He silenced three machine gun positions by himself.
Head and shoulders of a young man with a garrison cap tilted over his right ear wearing a scarf tied around his neck and a military jacket with three ribbon bars and a pin on the left breast. Written over the lower right of the photo are the words "Your pal always, Frank". Ono, Frank H.Frank H. Ono* Army Private First Class July 4, 1944 near Castellina, Italy 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He held an advanced position alone. He treated wounded men and stayed behind to provide covering fire as his unit pulled back.
Head and shoulders of a young man wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket with three chevrons on the upper left sleeve and a whistle hanging from a chain attached to his right shoulder. In the top left corner of the photo is written "To Mom & Dad" and in the lower right "your son! Kazuo". Otani, KazuoKazuo Otani* Army Staff Sergeant July 15, 1944 near Pieve Di St. Luce, Italy 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He drew enemy fire onto himself so his platoon could reach safety. He was killed while rescuing a wounded man.
Head and shoulders of a smiling young man wearing a peaked cap and, over a shirt and tie, a military jacket with a round pin on each lapel. Sakato, George T.George T. Sakato Army Private October 29, 1944 Hill 617, near Biffontaine, France 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team He charged an enemy strongpoint. He took command of his platoon and led it to defend their position.
Head and torso of a serious faced man wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket with bright buttons and a patch and stripes on the upper sleeve. Tanouye, Ted T.Ted T. Tanouye* Army Technical Sergeant July 7, 1944 near Molino A Ventoabbto, Italy 442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat Team Even though he was wounded, he attacked a series of enemy positions by himself.
Head of a young man wearing a peaked cap with a large, shiny emblem on the front and a dark military jacket. Wai, Francis B.Francis B. Wai* Army Captain October 20, 1944 Leyte, Philippine Islands 34-00-0034th Infantry Regiment He took command of four attack groups. He led by example and drew fire onto himself to show enemy positions.

Korean War: Courage in Korea

The Korean War was a three-year conflict. It started when North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950. The United States and the Soviet Union also became involved. The main fighting lasted from June 25, 1950, until an agreement was signed on July 27, 1953.

Three Asian Americans received the Medal of Honor for their actions in the Korean War. Hiroshi H. Miyamura was captured by Chinese forces. He was held as a prisoner of war for 28 months. To protect him, news of his Medal of Honor award was kept secret until he was released.

      This with the   † indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously (after death).

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action Unit Notes
Young man in military uniform, standing with his arm resting on his raised knee. Miyamura, Hiroshi H.Hiroshi H. Miyamura Army Corporal April 24, 1951 –
April 25, 1951		 Taejon-ni, Korea 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division He fought in close combat. He stayed behind to provide covering fire while his unit pulled back.
Anthony T. Kahoʻohanohano Kahoʻohanohano, Anthony T.Anthony T. Kahoʻohanohano  † Army E-02Private First Class September 1, 1951 near Chup'a-ri, Korea Company H, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division Even though he was wounded, he held a position alone. He fought hand-to-hand until he was killed.
Herbert K Pililaau.jpg Pililaau, Herbert K.Herbert K. Pililaau  † Army E-02Private First Class September 17, 1951 Pia-ri, Korea Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division After he was killed fighting the enemy, it was found that he had defeated over 40 enemies by himself.

Vietnam War: Sacrifices and Heroism

The Vietnam War lasted from 1959 to April 30, 1975. It was fought between Communist-supported North Vietnam and the United States-supported South Vietnam. The war ended when the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon, fell to the communist forces. Over 8.7 million U.S. forces took part. More than 47,000 were killed in battle.

During the Vietnam War, five Asian Americans received the Medal of Honor. Four of them received it after they died. Elmelindo Smith was killed while fighting with his unit, even after being wounded many times. Terry Kawamura gave his life by jumping on an explosive. This saved the lives of two other soldiers. Rodney Yano sacrificed his life by throwing burning ammunition off a helicopter. This happened after a grenade exploded too early. Edward N. Kaneshiro died less than a year after his brave action in 1967. He did not receive the Medal until 2022, after his death.

Dennis Fujii is the only living Asian-American Vietnam War veteran to receive the Medal of Honor in person. He is also the only living Asian-American Medal of Honor recipient today.

      This with the   † indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously (after death).

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action Unit Notes
Head and shoulders of a young man wearing a peaked cap, black thick-rimmed glasses, and a military jacket with a round pin on each lapel over a shirt and tie. Kawamura, Terry TeruoTerry Teruo Kawamura  † Army Corporal March 20, 1969 Camp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam 173rd Engineer Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade He jumped on an explosive charge to save the lives of two other soldiers.
A young man in his in his military uniform looking forward towards the camera. He has a slight smile and his head is down and to the left. Smith, ElmelindoElmelindo Smith  † Army Staff Sergeant February 16, 1967 Republic of Vietnam 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division He kept organizing his unit's defense. He did this even after being repeatedly and fatally wounded.
A young man in a shirt, tie and sweater. He is looking forward towards the camera and is smiling. Yano, RodneyRodney Yano  † Army Sergeant First Class January 1, 1969 near Bien Hao, Republic of Vietnam Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment He grabbed burning ammunition and threw it from the aircraft. This was after he was seriously wounded by a grenade explosion on a helicopter.
—
 Kaneshiro, Edward N.Edward N. Kaneshiro  † Army Staff sergeant December 1, 1966 Kim Son Valley, Vietnam 9th Cavalry Regiment His unit was attacked. Kaneshiro crawled forward and attacked with grenades and a rifle. This saved the lives of U.S. soldiers.
President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor (03) (cropped).jpg Fujii, DennisDennis Fujii Army Specialist Five February 18–22, 1971 Laos & Vietnam 67th Medical Group He stayed behind to help wounded soldiers. He directed helicopter rescues while under heavy fire.

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