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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Genro Kashiwa (ASN: 30104311), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on 5 April 1945, in Italy. Technical Sergeant Kashiwa was in charge of a platoon assigned to clear the summit of a mountain to prevent a hostile counterattack on his battalion’s positions. After a personal reconnaissance, he directed one squad to attempt to move around the base of the summit and take the enemy from the rear while he led the other squad in a frontal assault. The plan worked excellently and his squad was able to almost reach the top before detected. Catching the enemy soldiers ten yards away from their machine guns, he rushed forward and cut the Germans off from their weapons. After firing one shot with his tommy gun, the weapon jammed but the foe was confused and fled. He quickly seized an enemy machine gun and fired it on the fleeing soldiers, forcing them to seek shelter in a reinforced bunker and then he crawled alone to within grenade range and threw two grenades which forced the remaining six Germans to surrender. His outstanding courage reflects great credit on the finest traditions of the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant]

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    442d Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    SIXTH U.S. Army

    Action Date:

    November 7, 1944
    Headquarters, SIXTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 20 (March 30, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Genro Kashiwa (ASN: 30104311), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy on 7 November 1944 in the vicinity of La Houssiere, France. Assuming command when his Platoon Leader and Sergeant were wounded and evacuated, Sergeant Kashiwa led his platoon in an attack on a well defended hill. He brought his men through a mine field, surprised the enemy, and opening fire with his M-1 rifle, killed three and silenced a machine gun. When two of his men were wounded, he worked his way to them under intense enemy fire, administered first aid and directed their evacuation. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.