Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Taneyoshi
Nakano
1919-08-25

–

1988-12-25

Home:

Honolulu

, 

Hawaii

Buried: 

Honolulu

, 

Hawaii

Cemetery:

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Taneyoshi Nakano was one of the first members of the 100th Infantry Battalion to be decorated when he received the Legion of Merit in April 1943, for his work as “dog bait” in an ill-conceived training test based on the assumption that dogs could be used to find and identify Japanese strictly by scent. The action for which he received the Soldier’s Medal pre-dated his Legion of Merit, although it was awarded after he received the Legion of Merit.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)

    Action Date:

    December 20, 1942 – February 28, 1943
    War Department General Orders No. 18 (April 15, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Private First Class Taneyoshi Nakano (ASN: 30102347), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States between the dates of 20 December 1942 and 28 February 1943, at a southern training center. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Private First Class Nakano and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    100th Infantry Battalion

    Regiment:

    442d Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    34th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 26, 1944
    Headquarters, 34th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 82 (August 22, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Taneyoshi Nakano (ASN: 30102347), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 26 June 1944, in the vicinity of Belvedere, Italy. When the enemy with a force of 5 Infantrymen supported by a Mark IV tank counter-attacked his platoon, Private First Class Nakano boldly advanced in the face of deadly sniper and machine gun fire to destroy, with a rocket launcher, the enemy tank. Advancing to a distance approximately 15 yards from the tank, Private First Class Nakano calmly fired 3 rounds from his weapon and successfully destroyed the tank. His heroic action was directly responsible for repulsing this counterattack, as the rest of the enemy Infantrymen on seeing this remarkable feat of Private First Class Nakano’s, immediately scatted and retreated in a disorderly manner. 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.

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)

    Action Date:

    December 1942
    War Department General Orders No. 32 (1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Private First Class Taneyoshi Nakano (ASN: 30102347), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), in a boating incident in the Gulf of Mexico in November/December 1942. When a small boat was stuck far from shore in raging winds, Private Nakano stripped his clothes and dove into the icy water and swam about 100 yards to reach the stranded man, climbed in and helped him row back to shore.