Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Tadao
Hodai
August 18, 1918

–

May 17, 1997

Home:

, 

Hawaii

Buried: 

Honolulu

, 

Hawaii

Cemetery:

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Tadao Hodai 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.

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 Tadao Hodai (30102226), 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 Hodai and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.