Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Joe Hayashi was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. The award was presented posthumously by President Bill Clinton on June 21, 2000. Joe Hayashi enlisted in the Army from the Relocation Camp at Heart Mountain, Wyoming.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    442d Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    92d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 20 & 22, 1945

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private Joe Hayashi (ASN: 39233508), 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 92d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 20 and 22 April 1945, near Tendola, Italy. Ordered to attack a strongly defended hill that commanded all approaches to the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi skillfully led his men to a point within 75 yards of enemy positions before they were detected and fired upon. After dragging his wounded comrades to safety, he returned alone and exposed himself to small arms fire in order to direct and adjust mortar fire against hostile emplacements. Boldly attacking the hill with the remaining men of his squad, he attained his objective and discovered that the mortars had neutralized three machine guns, killed 27 men, and wounded many others. On 22 April 1945, attacking the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi maneuvered his squad up a steep, terraced hill to within 100 yards of the enemy. Crawling under intense fire to a hostile machine gun position, he threw a grenade, killing one enemy soldier and forcing the other members of the gun crew to surrender. Seeing four enemy machine guns delivering deadly fire upon other elements of his platoon, he threw another grenade, destroying a machine gun nest. He then crawled to the right flank of another machine gun position where he killed four enemy soldiers and forced the others to flee. Attempting to pursue the enemy, he was mortally wounded by a burst of machine pistol fire. The dauntless courage and exemplary leadership of Private Hayashi enabled his company to attain its objective. Private Hayashi’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.