Rodney J. T. Yano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rodney J. T. Yano
|
|
|---|---|
Rodney Yano
|
|
| Born | December 13, 1943 Kealakekua, Kona district, Territory of Hawaii (now State of Hawaii) |
| Died | January 1, 1969 (aged 25) near Biên Hòa, Dong Nai Province, Republic of Vietnam |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1963–1969 |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Unit | 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Air Medal Purple Heart |
Rodney James Takahashi Yano (Japanese surname: 矢野, December 13, 1943 – January 1, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Early life
Yano was born in Hawaii. His grandparents were Japanese immigrants. Yano was a Sansei, which means that he was a third generation Japanese-American.
Soldier
Yano left high school without graduating, joined the Army from Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961, and served in the field of helicopter maintenance. By January 1, 1969 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On that day, near Biên Hòa in the Republic of Vietnam, Yano, who was normally a technical inspector, volunteered to act as helicopter crew chief and door gunner on the aircraft commanded by John Bahnsen during combat action. As one of two door gunners, he delivered machine gun fire while marking enemy positions with smoke and white phosphorus grenades, enabling Bahnsen to direct artillery fire against them.
During the fight a white phosphorus grenade exploded prematurely inside the aircraft. The pilot and co-pilot couldn't see because of the smoke, and the aircraft began to descend. Despite being burned and partially blinded because he was covered in white phosphorus, and having lost the use of one arm, Yano proceeded to throw and kick the remaining ammunition off the helicopter as flaming fragments of the grenade were causing it to catch fire and detonate. He received additional wounds as a result of these actions, which caused his death later that day. His actions enabled the crew to regain control of the aircraft, fly to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital, and land safely, and were credited with saving the lives of the others on board the helicopter. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class.
Yano, age 25 at his death, was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Namesake
Yano is the namesake of the USNS Yano (T-AKR-297), a Shughart class cargo ship. She is a 'roll-on roll-off' non-combat United States Navy designated a "Large, Medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off" (LMSR) ship.
Yano Fitness Center at Camp Zama, Japan, Sgt. Yano Library at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and Yano Hall Helicopter Maintenance Facility at Fort Rucker, Alabama are named in his honor.
Yano Hall - Recreational Public Facility - Captain Cook, Kona, Big Island of Hawaii
