Yukio Okutsu facts for kids
- In this Japanese name, the family name is Okutsu.
Quick facts for kids
Yukio Okutsu
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Technical Sergeant Yukio Okutsu
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| Born | November 3, 1921 Koloa, Hawaii |
| Died | August 24, 2003 (aged 81) |
| Place of burial |
East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2,
Hilo, Hawaii |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943 - 1945 |
| Rank | Technical Sergeant |
| Unit | 442nd Regimental Combat Team |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | |
Yukio Okutsu (born November 3, 1921 – died August 24, 2003) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He earned the highest military award, the Medal of Honor, for his amazing actions during World War II.
Contents
Yukio Okutsu's Early Life
Yukio Okutsu was born in Koloa, Hawaii. His parents had moved there from Japan. Yukio was a Nisei, which means he was a second-generation Japanese-American. This means he was born in America, but his parents were from Japan.
Joining the Army
Yukio Okutsu joined the US Army in March 1943 during World War II. He volunteered to be part of the 100th Infantry Battalion. This army unit was special because it was made up almost entirely of Nisei soldiers. Most of these Japanese-American soldiers came from Hawaii and the mainland United States.
Earning the Medal of Honor
For his brave actions in April 1945, Yukio Okutsu was first given the Army's second-highest award, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Later, in the 1990s, the government looked again at the records of Asian Americans who received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II. They found that Okutsu's actions were even more heroic than first recognized. Because of this, his award was changed to the Medal of Honor.
On June 21, 2000, a special ceremony was held at the White House. President Bill Clinton personally presented Yukio Okutsu with his Medal of Honor. Twenty-one other Asian Americans also received this high honor during the same ceremony. However, only seven of them were still alive to accept their medals in person.
Remembering Yukio Okutsu
Yukio Okutsu is honored in Hawaii. The Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home in Hilo is named after him. This home is the first place for veterans that is run by the state government in Hawaii.
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