Rodney J. T. Yano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rodney J. T. Yano
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Rodney Yano
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| 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 (born December 13, 1943 – died January 1, 1969) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery a soldier can get in the United States. He earned this award for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War.
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Early Life in Hawaii
Rodney Yano was born in Hawaii. His grandparents had moved to Hawaii from Japan. Rodney was a Sansei, which means he was a third-generation Japanese-American.
A Soldier's Courageous Actions
Rodney Yano left high school early and joined the Army in 1961 from Honolulu, Hawaii. He worked on maintaining helicopters. By January 1, 1969, he was a Staff Sergeant in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
On that day, near Biên Hòa in South Vietnam, Sergeant Yano volunteered for a dangerous job. Even though he usually worked as a technical inspector, he chose to be a crew chief and door gunner on a helicopter during a battle.
As a door gunner, he fired his machine gun at enemy positions. He also used smoke and white phosphorus grenades to mark where the enemy was hiding. This helped the pilot, John Bahnsen, direct artillery fire to those spots.
A Dangerous Moment
During the fight, a white phosphorus grenade exploded too early inside the helicopter. Smoke filled the aircraft, making it impossible for the pilot and co-pilot to see. The helicopter began to drop.
Sergeant Yano was badly burned and partly blinded by the explosion. He was covered in white phosphorus, and he could not use one of his arms. Even with these terrible injuries, he knew he had to act fast.
Flaming pieces from the grenade were setting the helicopter on fire. Other ammunition on board was starting to explode. Sergeant Yano bravely began throwing and kicking the burning ammunition out of the helicopter.
Saving Lives
Because of his actions, Sergeant Yano received even more wounds. He died later that day from his injuries. However, his incredible bravery saved the lives of everyone else on the helicopter.
His actions allowed the crew to get control of the aircraft again. They were able to fly to a hospital and land safely. After his death, Rodney Yano was promoted to Sergeant First Class. He was 25 years old when he died. He is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Honoring a Hero
Many things have been named after Rodney Yano to remember his bravery:
- The USNS Yano (T-AKR-297) is a large cargo ship used by the United States Navy. It is a "roll-on roll-off" ship, meaning vehicles can drive directly onto it.
- The Yano Fitness Center at Camp Zama in Japan.
- The Sgt. Yano Library at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.
- The Yano Hall Helicopter Maintenance Facility at Fort Rucker in Alabama.
- Yano Hall, a public recreation building in Captain Cook, Kona, Hawaii.
