Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Staff Sergeant]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    442d Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    SIXTH U.S. Army

    Action Date:

    October 29, 1944

    Headquarters, SIXTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 19 (March 27, 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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Staff Sergeant] Henry Chiyei Oyasato (ASN: 0-1998050), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy on 29 October 1944 in the vicinity of Belmont, France. When strongly entrenched enemy troops checked his unit’s advance upon their positions, Lieutenant Oyasato, having brought his men to within 50 yards of their stronghold, ordered his men to give him protective fire while he advanced alone. As he sighted the helmet of one of the hostile troops, he immediately opened fire with his carbine and killed him. Quickly following this initial blow, Lieutenant Oyasato dashed boldly forward to within 10 yards of the entrenchment and threw two well-placed hand grenades to completely wipe out the machine gun nest and its crew of three men. 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.