Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    442d Regimental Combat Team

    Division:

    36th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 17, 1944

    Headquarters, SIXTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 7, (January 29, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Walter Etsutoshi Kanaya (ASN: 30104780), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy near Bruyeres, France, on 17 October 1944. When a forward company was seriously threatened by a strong enemy counter-attack spearheaded by three tanks, Private Kanaya, fully aware of the dangers involved, volunteered to carry badly needed ammunition to the endangered company. Although a shell fragment knocked off his helmet, he stubbornly continued with the load of ammunition rather than lose precious time in retrieving it. When within a hundred yards of his objective he was fatally wounded by a mortar shell and refused aid from a comrade in order that the ammunition might be delivered successfully to the forward company. By his devotion to duty and self-sacrificing efforts, Private Kanaya reflects much credit upon the United States Army.