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 First Sergeant Choichi Shimabukuro (ASN: 30101358), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with Headquarters Company, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, from 5 December 1943 to 25 September 1944, in Italy and 1 October 1944 to 19 March 1945 in France. As First Sergeant of Headquarters Company, 100th Battalion, Sergeant Shimabukuro kept his company in a spirit of high morale. On 8 February 1944, near Cassino, Italy, the Battalion was in need of personnel to haul ammunition and rations through rugged mountainous terrain which was under artillery, mortar and small arms fire. Sergeant Shimabukuro organized and led the carrying party for four consecutive nights and supplied all four of the line companies of the Battalion. His loyalty to his men, leadership, and devotion to duty were an inspiration to his comrades and a distinct credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.