Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    100th Infantry Battalion

    Regiment:

    442d Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    36th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 22, 1944

    Headquarters, SEVENTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 17 (January 24, 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 Private First Class Akira Nakagawa (ASN: 30101215), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company D, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, on 22 October 1944, near Biffontaine, France. While at his machine gun post, Private First Class Nakagawa observed an enemy officer running for cover some distance away. Although fully aware that he was under the observation of several hostile riflemen a short distance away, he jumped out of his machine gun dugout and pursued the officer. Hurdling a barbed wire fence, he continued his pursuit of the officer, who was now desperately dashing toward an enemy-held concrete wall, and, with a flying tackle, subdued him. Covering his captive with his pistol, he brought him back to friendly lines in full view of the enemy. By Private First Class Nakagawa’s daring and aggressive actions, his unit was able to obtain vital information from the enemy officer regarding enemy dispositions.