The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Kenneth Naganuma (ASN: 30105918), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, on 4 and 5 November 1944, in France. Sergeant Naganuma moved forward under superior enemy fire to cover the evacuation of two tankmen wounded during an attack upon an enemy strongpoint. Later, when his company’s advance was impeded by machine gun fire, he crawled to within 40 yards from one of the emplacements, opened fire and killed the gunner and his assistant. The fire which he attracted from a second emplacement left his unit free to move forward from its pinned down position to give him support. Though he was wounded during this action by an enemy sniper, Sergeant Naganuma refused to leave his under strength unit, and after leading his platoon in another attack on the following day, was forced by the seriousness of his injury to retire.

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 Staff Sergeant Kenneth Naganuma (ASN: 30105918), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, near Tendola, Italy, on 22 April 1945. Staff Sergeant Naganuma displayed aggressive leadership, courage, and determination as he led his comrades in the attack on a strategic hill. With utter disregard for safety, he silenced two machine pistols and rescued a wounded comrade under a screen of fire. He aided in capturing 2 machine pistols, 3 machine guns, killing four of the enemy and capturing nine. His heroic action is in keeping with the finest traditions of the services and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.