Only one Medal of Honor was presented to a Japanese-American soldier during World War II, despite the fact that these soldiers, despite intense prejudice at home in the USA, were among the most decorated soldiers of the war. Following a review in the late 1990s of Distinguished Service Cross awards to Japanese Americans, the DSC previously awarded to Ted Tanouye was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Ted Tanouye enlisted in the Army from the Relocation Camp at Rohwer, Arizona. Though he survived the action that earned him the DSC, and subsequently the Medal of Honor, he was killed in action in a separate engagement on September 26, 1944, and the award was presented posthumously by President Bill Clinton on June 21, 2000.
Sponsored by:
Ted
T.
Tanouye
KIA (WWII)
November 15, 1919
–
September 26, 1944
Cemetery:
Evergreen Cemetery
Awards Received
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Medal of Honor
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Technical SergeantBatallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
442d Regimental Combat TeamDivision:
34th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 7, 1944
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye (ASN: 39019913), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 July 1944, near Molino A Ventoabbto, Italy. Technical Sergeant Tanouye led his platoon in an attack to capture the crest of a strategically important hill that afforded little cover. Observing an enemy machine gun crew placing its gun in position to his left front, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crept forward a few yards and opened fire on the position, killing or wounding three and causing two others to disperse. Immediately, an enemy machine pistol opened fire on him. He returned the fire and killed or wounded three more enemy soldiers. While advancing forward, Technical Sergeant Tanouye was subjected to grenade bursts, which severely wounded his left arm. Sighting an enemy-held trench, he raked the position with fire from his submachine gun and wounded several of the enemy. Running out of ammunition, he crawled 20 yards to obtain several clips from a comrade on his left flank. Next, sighting an enemy machine pistol that had pinned down his men, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crawled forward a few yards and threw a hand grenade into the position, silencing the pistol. He then located another enemy machine gun firing down the slope of the hill, opened fire on it, and silenced that position. Drawing fire from a machine pistol nest located above him, he opened fire on it and wounded three of its occupants. Finally taking his objective, Technical Sergeant Tanouye organized a defensive position on the reverse slope of the hill before accepting first aid treatment and evacuation. Technical Sergeant Tanouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.