Ted T. Tanouye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ted Takayuki Tanouye
|
|
|---|---|
Technical Sergeant Ted Tanouye
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Tak" |
| Born | November 14, 1919 Torrance, California |
| Died | September 6, 1944 (aged 24) near San Mauro Cilento, Italy |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1944 |
| Rank | Technical Sergeant |
| Unit | 442nd Regimental Combat Team |
| Battles/wars | Rome-Arno Campaign / World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart (2) |
Ted Takayuki Tanouye (born November 14, 1919 – died September 6, 1944) was a brave Japanese American soldier. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Ted received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He received it after he died, for his amazing actions in battle.
Contents
Who Was Ted Tanouye?
Ted "Tak" Tanouye was born in Torrance, California, on November 14, 1919. He was the oldest of six children in his Japanese American family. Ted finished Torrance High School in 1938. When the attack on Pearl Harbor happened on December 7, 1941, Ted was working at a local grocery store.
Joining the Army During a Difficult Time
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an order called Executive Order 9066. This order meant that many Japanese Americans were sent to special camps. Ted's parents and siblings were sent to camps in Arkansas.
However, Ted himself was never sent to a camp. He joined the U.S. Army on February 20, 1942.
Ted became part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This was a special army unit made up almost entirely of Japanese American soldiers. In 1944, his unit went to Europe to fight in the war.
Heroic Actions in Italy
The 442nd unit was sent to Western Italy to help the Allies move forward. On July 7, 1944, which was only his third day fighting, Ted showed incredible courage. He was a Technical Sergeant in Company K of the 442nd.
Bravery on Hill 140
During a battle near Molino a Ventoabbto, Italy, Ted repeatedly moved ahead of his unit. He attacked German forces by himself, even though they were shooting back a lot. He was badly hurt by a grenade blast.
But Ted kept fighting! He didn't stop until his group had captured their goal, which was the top of "Hill 140." Even after being wounded, Ted refused to leave. He made sure his unit was safe and ready to defend their new position before he would let himself be taken away for medical help.
A Soldier's Sacrifice
After he got better from his injuries, Ted went back to the front lines. On September 1, 1944, he was wounded again by an exploding land mine near San Mauro Cilento, Italy. Sadly, he died five days later, on September 6, 1944.
Ted was first buried in Italy. Later, in 1948, his body was brought back to Los Angeles. A funeral was held at the Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo. Ted was then buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Medal of Honor Recognition
For his amazing bravery on July 7, 1944, Ted T. Tanouye first received the Distinguished Service Cross. This was the Army's second-highest award.
Upgrading the Award
In 1996, the government looked at the records of Asian American soldiers who received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II. Because of this review, Ted's award was changed to the Medal of Honor.
On June 21, 2000, a special ceremony was held at the White House. President Bill Clinton presented Ted's Medal of Honor to his family. Twenty-one other Asian American soldiers also received the Medal of Honor that day. Most of them, like Ted, received it after they had passed away.
Besides the Medal of Honor, Ted also received other important awards. These included the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart (with an Oak Leaf Cluster), the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Remembering Ted Tanouye
Ted "Tak" Tanouye has been honored in many ways for his service and bravery.
Honors in Torrance, California
In 2002, the city of Torrance, California, created a permanent display about Ted at the Torrance Historical Society Museum. The National Guard Armory in Torrance was also named in his honor on May 19, 2002.
On July 7, 2004, a special memorial made of stone and bronze was dedicated to Ted. It is located in Triangle Park, right across from Torrance High School, where Ted graduated in 1938.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
- List of Asian American Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Japanese Americans
- List of Asian Americans
