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HAJIRO,
BARNEY F.
Citation: Private
Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action
on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine,
eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an
embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France,
rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away
by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong
point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle
and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and
one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the
right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an
18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and
taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area
in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an
attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running
forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of
his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine
gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed
two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private
Hajiro’s heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro’s
extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest
traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his
unit, and the United States Army.
HALL, GEORGE J.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 135th Infantry,
34th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Anzio, Italy, 23 May 1944.
Entered service at: Boston, Mass. Born: 9 January 1921, Stoneham, Mass.
G.O. No.: 24, 6 April 1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Attacking across
flat, open terrain under direct enemy observation, S/Sgt. Hall's company
was pinned down by grazing fire from 3 enemy machineguns and harassing
sniper fire. S/Sgt. Hall volunteered to eliminate these obstacles in
the path of advance. Crawling along a plowed furrow through furious
machinegun fire, he made his way to a point within hand grenade range
of 1 of the enemy positions. He pounded the enemy with 4 hand grenades,
and when the smoke had died away, S/Sgt. Hall and 2 dead Germans occupied
the position, while 4 of the enemy were crawling back to our lines as
prisoners. Discovering a quantity of German potato-masher grenades in
the position, S/Sgt. Hall engaged the second enemy nest in a deadly
exchange of grenades. Each time he exposed himself to throw a grenade
the Germans fired machinegun bursts at him. The vicious duel finally
ended in S/Sgt. Hall's favor with 5 of the enemy surrendered and 5 others
lay dead. Turning his attention to the third machinegun, S/Sgt. Hall
left his position and crawled along a furrow, the enemy firing frantically
in an effort to halt him. As he neared his final objective, an enemy
artillery concentration fell on the area, and S/Sgt. Hall's right leg
was severed by a shellburst. With 2 enemy machineguns eliminated, his
company was able to flank the third and continue its advance without
incurring excessive casualties. S/Sgt. Hall's fearlessness, his determined
fighting spirit, and his prodigious combat skill exemplify the heroic
tradition of the American Infantryman.
HALL, LEWIS
Rank and organization: Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, Company
M, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Mount Austen,
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 January 1943. Entered service at: Obetz,
Rural Station 7, Columbus, Ohio. Born: 1895, Bloom, Ohio. G.O. No.:
28, 5 June 1943.
Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty. As leader of a machinegun squad charged
with the protection of other battalion units, his group was attacked
by a superior number of Japanese, his gunner killed, his assistant gunner
wounded, and an adjoining guncrew put out of action. Ordered to withdraw
from his hazardous position, he refused to retire but rushed forward
to the idle gun and with the aid of another soldier who joined him and
held up the machinegun by the tripod to increase its field of action
he opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. While
so engaged both these gallant soldiers were killed, but their sturdy
defense was a decisive factor in the following success of the attacking
battalion.
HALL, WILLIAM E.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Naval Reserve.
Place and date: Coral Sea, 7 and 8 May 1942. Entered service at: Utah.
Born: 31 October 1913, Storrs, Utah.
Citation: For extreme courage and conspicuous
heroism in combat above and beyond the call of duty as pilot of a scouting
plane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Coral Sea on 7
and 8 May 1942. In a resolute and determined attack on 7 May, Lt. (j.g.)
Hall dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier, contributing
materially to the destruction of that vessel. On 8 May, facing heavy
and fierce fighter opposition, he again displayed extraordinary skill
as an airman and the aggressive spirit of a fighter in repeated and
effectively executed counterattacks against a superior number of enemy
planes in which 3 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Though seriously wounded
in this engagement, Lt. (j.g.) Hall, maintaining the fearless and indomitable
tactics pursued throughout these actions, succeeded in landing his plane
safe.
HALLMAN, SHERWOOD H.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 175th Infantry,
29th Infantry Division. Place and date: Brest, Brittany, France, 13
September 1944. Entered service at: Spring City, Pa. Birth: Spring City,
Pa. G.O. No.: 31, 17 April 1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 September
1944, in Brittany, France, the 2d Battalion in its attack on the fortified
city of Brest was held up by a strongly defended enemy position which
had prevented its advance despite repeated attacks extending over a
3-day period. Finally, Company F advanced to within several hundred
yards of the enemy position but was again halted by intense fire. Realizing
that the position must be neutralized without delay, S/Sgt. Hallman
ordered his squad to cover his movements with fire while he advanced
alone to a point from which he could make the assault. Without hesitating,
S/Sgt. Hallman leaped over a hedgerow into a sunken road, the central
point of the German defenses which was known to contain an enemy machinegun
position and at least 30 enemy riflemen. Firing his carbine and hurling
grenades, S/Sgt. Hallman, unassisted, killed or wounded 4 of the enemy,
then ordered the remainder to surrender. Immediately, 12 of the enemy
surrendered and the position was shortly secured by the remainder of
his company. Seeing the surrender of this position, about 75 of the
enemy in the vicinity surrendered, yielding a defensive organization
which the battalion with heavy supporting fires had been unable to take.
This single heroic act on the part of S/Sgt. Hallman resulted in the
immediate advance of the entire battalion for a distance of 2,000 yards
to a position from which Fort Keranroux was captured later the same
day. S/Sgt. Hallman's fighting determination and intrepidity in battle
exemplify the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.
HALYBURTON, WILLIAM DAVID, JR.
Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Naval
Reserve. Born: 2 August 1924, Canton, N.C. Accredited to: North Carolina.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with a Marine Rifle Company in the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine
Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima
in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of
Japanese counterfire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically
important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and
up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance
squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar,
machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving
steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached the
wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when
his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly
placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter
with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although
constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling
on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern
for the helpless marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself
sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself
that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering
devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained
and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life in the service of his country.
HAMILTON, PIERPONT M.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and
date: Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942. Entered service
at: New York, N.Y. Born: 3 August 1898, Tuxedo Park, N.Y. G.O. No.:
4, 23 January 1943.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 November 1942, near
Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Lt. Col. Hamilton volunteered to accompany
Col. Demas Craw on a dangerous mission to the French commander, designed
to bring about a cessation of hostilities. Driven away from the mouth
of the Sebou River by heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat
was finally beached at Mehdia Plage despite continuous machinegun fire
from 3 low-flying hostile planes. Driven in a light truck toward French
headquarters, this courageous mission encountered intermittent firing,
and as it neared Port Lyautey a heavy burst of machinegun fire was delivered
upon the truck from pointblank range, killing Col. Craw instantly. Although
captured immediately, after this incident, Lt. Col. Hamilton completed
the mission .
HAMMERBERG, OWEN FRANCIS PATRICK
Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy.
Born: 31 May 1920, Daggett, Mich. Accredited to: Michigan.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a diver
engaged in rescue operations at West Loch, Pearl Harbor, 17 February
1945. Aware of the danger when 2 fellow divers were hopelessly trapped
in a cave-in of steel wreckage while tunneling with jet nozzles under
an LST sunk in 40 feet of water and 20 feet of mud. Hammerberg unhesitatingly
went overboard in a valiant attempt to effect their rescue despite the
certain hazard of additional cave-ins and the risk of fouling his lifeline
on jagged pieces of steel imbedded in the shifting mud. Washing a passage
through the original excavation, he reached the first of the trapped
men, freed him from the wreckage and, working desperately in pitch-black
darkness, finally effected his release from fouled lines, thereby enabling
him to reach the surface. Wearied but undaunted after several hours
of arduous labor, Hammerberg resolved to continue his struggle to wash
through the oozing submarine, subterranean mud in a determined effort
to save the second diver. Venturing still farther under the buried hulk,
he held tenaciously to his purpose, reaching a place immediately above
the other man just as another cave-in occurred and a heavy piece of
steel pinned him crosswise over his shipmate in a position which protected
the man beneath from further injury while placing the full brunt of
terrific pressure on himself. Although he succumbed in agony 18 hours
after he had gone to the aid of his fellow divers, Hammerberg, by his
cool judgment, unfaltering professional skill and consistent disregard
of all personal danger in the face of tremendous odds, had contributed
effectively to the saving of his 2 comrades. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice
throughout enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the U.S.
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
HANSEN, DALE MERLIN
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 13 December
1922, Wisner, Nebr. Accredited to: Nebraska.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action
against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain,
7 May 1945. Cool and courageous in combat, Pvt. Hansen unhesitatingly
took the initiative during a critical stage of the action and, armed
with a rocket launcher, crawled to an exposed position where he attacked
and destroyed a strategically located hostile pillbox. With his weapon
subsequently destroyed by enemy fire, he seized a rifle and continued
his 1-man assault. Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across,
opened fire on 6 Japanese and killed 4 before his rifle jammed. Attacked
by the remaining 2 Japanese, he beat them off with the butt of his rifle
and then climbed back to cover. Promptly returning with another weapon
and supply of grenades, he fearlessly advanced, destroyed a strong mortar
position and annihilated 8 more of the enemy. In the forefront of battle
throughout this bitterly waged engagement, Pvt. Hansen, by his indomitable
determination, bold tactics and complete disregard of all personal danger,
contributed essentially to the success of his company's mission and
to the ultimate capture of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese
Empire. His great personal valor in the face of extreme peril reflects
the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.
HANSON, ROBERT MURRAY
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 4 February 1920, Lucknow, India. Accredited to: Massachusetts.
Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Air Medal.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as fighter pilot attached
to Marine Fighting Squadron 215 in action against enemy Japanese forces
at Bougainville Island, 1 November 1943; and New Britain Island, 24
January 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition, and fearless in the face
of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Hanson fought the Japanese boldly and
with daring aggressiveness. On 1 November, while flying cover for our
landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly attacked 6
enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs and destroying
1 Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his division while
deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor
on 24 January, 1st Lt. Hanson waged a lone and gallant battle against
hostile interceptors as they were orbiting to attack our bombers and,
striking with devastating fury, brought down 4 Zeroes and probably a
fifth. Handling his plane superbly in both pursuit and attack measures,
he was a master of individual air combat, accounting for a total of
25 Japanese aircraft in this theater of war. His great personal valor
and invincible fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service.
HARMON, ROY W.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 362d Infantry,
91st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Casaglia, Italy, 12 July
1944. Entered service at: Pixley, Calif. Birth: Talala, Okla. G.O. No.:
83, 2 October 1945.
Citation: He was an acting squad leader when heavy
machinegun fire from enemy positions, well dug in on commanding ground
and camouflaged by haystacks, stopped his company's advance and pinned
down 1 platoon where it was exposed to almost certain annihilation.
Ordered to rescue the beleaguered platoon by neutralizing the German
automatic fire, he led his squad forward along a draw to the right of
the trapped unit against 3 key positions which poured murderous fire
into his helpless comrades. When within range, his squad fired tracer
bullets in an attempt to set fire to the 3 haystacks which were strung
out in a loose line directly to the front, 75, 150, and 250 yards away.
Realizing that this attack was ineffective, Sgt. Harmon ordered his
squad to hold their position and voluntarily began a 1-man assault.
Carrying white phosphorus grenades and a submachine gun, he skillfully
took advantage of what little cover the terrain afforded and crept to
within 25 yards of the first position. He set the haystack afire with
a grenade, and when 2 of the enemy attempted to flee from the inferno,
he killed them with his submachine gun. Crawling toward the second machinegun
emplacement, he attracted fire and was wounded; but he continued to
advance and destroyed the position with hand grenades, killing the occupants.
He then attacked the third machinegun, running to a small knoll, then
crawling over ground which offered no concealment or cover. About halfway
to his objective, he was again wounded. But he struggled ahead until
within 20 yards of the machinegun nest, where he raised himself to his
knees to throw a grenade. He was knocked down by direct enemy fire.
With a final, magnificent effort, he again arose, hurled the grenade
and fell dead, riddled by bullets. His missile fired the third position,
destroying it. Sgt. Harmon's extraordinary heroism, gallantry, and self-sacrifice
saved a platoon from being wiped out, and made it possible for his company
to advance against powerful enemy resistance.
HARR, HARRY R.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company D, 124th
Infantry, 31st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Maglamin, Mindanao,
Philippine Islands, 5 June 1945. Entered service at: East Freedom, Pa.
Birth: Pine Croft, Pa. G.O. No.: 28, 28 March 1946.
Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity. In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed in on his
machinegun emplacement, hurling hand grenades, 1 of which exploded under
the gun, putting it out of action and wounding 2 of the crew. While
the remaining gunners were desperately attempting to repair their weapon
another grenade landed squarely in the emplacement. Quickly realizing
he could not safely throw the unexploded missile from the crowded position,
Cpl. Harr unhesitatingly covered it with his body to smother the blast.
His supremely courageous act, which cost him his life, saved 4 of his
comrades and enabled them to continue their mission.
HARRELL, WILLIAM GEORGE
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion,
28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano
Islands, 3 March 1945. Entered service at: Mercedes, Tex. Born: 26 June
1922, Rio Grande City, Tex.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader
of an assault group attached to the 1st Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th
Marine Division during hand-to-hand combat with enemy Japanese at Iwo
Jima, Volcano Islands, on 3 March 1945. Standing watch alternately with
another marine in a terrain studded with caves and ravines, Sgt. Harrell
was holding a position in a perimeter defense around the company command
post when Japanese troops infiltrated our lines in the early hours of
dawn. Awakened by a sudden attack, he quickly opened fire with his carbine
and killed 2 of the enemy as they emerged from a ravine in the light
of a star shellburst. Unmindful of his danger as hostile grenades fell
closer, he waged a fierce lone battle until an exploding missile tore
off his left hand and fractured his thigh. He was vainly attempting
to reload the carbine when his companion returned from the command post
with another weapon. Wounded again by a Japanese who rushed the foxhole
wielding a saber in the darkness, Sgt. Harrell succeeded in drawing
his pistol and killing his opponent and then ordered his wounded companion
to a place of safety. Exhausted by profuse bleeding but still unbeaten,
he fearlessly met the challenge of 2 more enemy troops who charged his
position and placed a grenade near his head. Killing 1 man with his
pistol, he grasped the sputtering grenade with his good right hand,
and, pushing it painfully toward the crouching soldier, saw his remaining
assailant destroyed but his own hand severed in the explosion. At dawn
Sgt. Harrell was evacuated from a position hedged by the bodies of 12
dead Japanese, at least 5 of whom he had personally destroyed in his
self-sacrificing defense of the command post. His grim fortitude, exceptional
valor, and indomitable fighting spirit against almost insurmountable
odds reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest
traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
HARRIS, JAMES L.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 756th Tank
Battalion. Place and date: At Vagney, France, 7 October 1944. Entered
service at: Hillsboro, Tex. Birth: Hillsboro, Tex. G.O. No.: 32, 23
April 1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 7 October 1944,
in Vagney, France. At 9 p.m. an enemy raiding party, comprising a tank
and 2 platoons of infantry, infiltrated through the lines under cover
of mist and darkness and attacked an infantry battalion command post
with hand grenades, retiring a short distance to an ambush position
on hearing the approach of the M-4 tank commanded by 2d Lt. Harris.
Realizing the need for bold aggressive action, 2d Lt. Harris ordered
his tank to halt while he proceeded on foot, fully 10 yards ahead of
his 6-man patrol and armed only with a service pistol, to probe the
darkness for the enemy. Although struck down and mortally wounded by
machinegun bullets which penetrated his solar plexus, he crawled back
to his tank, leaving a trail of blood behind him, and, too weak to climb
inside it, issued fire orders while lying on the road between the 2
contending armored vehicles. Although the tank which he commanded was
destroyed in the course of the fire fight, he stood the enemy off until
friendly tanks, preparing to come to his aid, caused the enemy to withdraw
and thereby lose an opportunity to kill or capture the entire battalion
command personnel. Suffering a second wound, which severed his leg at
the hip, in the course of this tank duel, 2d Lt. Harris refused aid
until after a wounded member of his crew had been carried to safety.
He died before he could be given medical attention.
HASEMOTO,
MIKIO
Citation: Private Mikio Hasemoto distinguished
himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 November 1943, in the
vicinity of Cerasuolo, Italy. A force of approximately 40 enemy soldiers,
armed with machine guns, machine pistols, rifles, and grenades, attacked
the left flank of his platoon. Two enemy soldiers with machine guns
advanced forward, firing their weapons. Private Hasemoto, an automatic
rifleman, challenged these two machine gunners. After firing four magazines
at the approaching enemy, his weapon was shot and damaged. Unhesitatingly,
he ran 10 yards to the rear, secured another automatic rifle and continued
to fire until his weapon jammed. At this point, Private Hasemoto and
his squad leader had killed approximately 20 enemy soldiers. Again,
Private Hasemoto ran through a barrage of enemy machine gun fire to
pick up an M-1 rifle. Continuing their fire, Private Hasemoto and his
squad leader killed 10 more enemy soldiers. With only three enemy soldiers
left, he and his squad leader charged courageously forward, killing
one, wounding one, and capturing another. The following day, Private
Hasemoto continued to repel enemy attacks until he was killed by enemy
fire. Private Hasemoto’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty
are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect
great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
HASTINGS, JOE R.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company
C, 386th Infantry, 97th Infantry Division. Place and date: Drabenderhohe,
Germany, 12 April 1945. Entered service at: Magnolia, Ohio. Birth: Malvern,
Ohio. G.O. No.: 101, 8 November 1945.
Citation: He fought gallantly during an attack
against strong enemy forces defending Drabenderhohe, Germany, from the
dug-in positions on commanding ground. As squad leader of a light machinegun
section supporting the advance of the 1st and 3d Platoons, he braved
direct rifle, machinegun, 20mm., and mortar fire, some of which repeatedly
missed him only by inches, and rushed forward over 350 yards of open,
rolling fields to reach a position from which he could fire on the enemy
troops. From this vantage point he killed the crews of a 20mm. gun and
a machinegun, drove several enemy riflemen from their positions, and
so successfully shielded the 1st Platoon, that it had time to reorganize
and remove its wounded to safety. Observing that the 3d Platoon to his
right was being met by very heavy 40mm. and machinegun fire, he ran
150 yards with his gun to the leading elements of that unit, where he
killed the crew of the 40mm. gun. As spearhead of the 3d Platoon's attack,
he advanced, firing his gun held at hip height, disregarding the bullets
that whipped past him, until the assault had carried 175 yards to the
objective. In this charge he and the riflemen he led killed or wounded
many of the fanatical enemy and put 2 machineguns out of action. Pfc.
Hastings, by his intrepidity, outstanding leadership, and unrelenting
determination to wipe out the formidable German opposition, cleared
the path for his company's advance into Drabenderhohe. He was killed
4 days later while again supporting the 3d Platoon.
HAUGE, LOUIS JAMES, JR.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born:
12 December 1924, Ada, Minn. Accredited to: Minnesota.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader
of a machinegun squad serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines,
1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa
Shima in the Ryukyu Chain on 14 May 1945. Alert and aggressive during
a determined assault against a strongly fortified Japanese hill position,
Cpl. Hauge boldly took the initiative when his company's left flank
was pinned down under a heavy machinegun and mortar barrage with resultant
severe casualties and, quickly locating the 2 machineguns which were
delivering the uninterrupted stream of enfilade fire, ordered his squad
to maintain a covering barrage as he rushed across an exposed area toward
the furiously blazing enemy weapons. Although painfully wounded as he
charged the first machinegun, he launched a vigorous single-handed grenade
attack, destroyed the entire hostile gun position and moved relentlessly
forward toward the other emplacement despite his wounds and the increasingly
heavy Japanese fire. Undaunted by the savage opposition, he again hurled
his deadly grenades with unerring aim and succeeded in demolishing the
second enemy gun before he fell under the slashing fury of Japanese
sniper fire. By his ready grasp of the critical situation and his heroic
1-man assault tactics, Cpl. Hauge had eliminated 2 strategically placed
enemy weapons, thereby releasing the besieged troops from an overwhelming
volume of hostile fire and enabling his company to advance. His indomitable
fighting spirit and decisive valor in the face of almost certain death
reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Hauge and the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
HAWK, JOHN D.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 359th
Infantry, 90th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Chambois, France,
20 August 1944. Entered service at: Bremerton, Wash. Birth: San Francisco,
Calif. G.O. No.: 55, 13 July 1945.
Citation: He manned a light machinegun on 20 August
1944, near Chambois, France, a key point in the encirclement which created
the Falaise Pocket. During an enemy counterattack, his position was
menaced by a strong force of tanks and infantry. His fire forced the
infantry to withdraw, but an artillery shell knocked out his gun and
wounded him in the right thigh. Securing a bazooka, he and another man
stalked the tanks and forced them to retire to a wooded section. In
the lull which followed, Sgt. Hawk reorganized 2 machinegun squads and,
in the face of intense enemy fire, directed the assembly of 1 workable
weapon from 2 damaged guns. When another enemy assault developed, he
was forced to pull back from the pressure of spearheading armor. Two
of our tank destroyers were brought up. Their shots were ineffective
because of the terrain until Sgt. Hawk, despite his wound, boldly climbed
to an exposed position on a knoll where, unmoved by fusillades from
the enemy, he became a human aiming stake for the destroyers. Realizing
that his shouted fire directions could not be heard above the noise
of battle, he ran back to the destroyers through a concentration of
bullets and shrapnel to correct the range. He returned to his exposed
position, repeating this performance until 2 of the tanks were knocked
out and a third driven off. Still at great risk, he continued to direct
the destroyers' fire into the Germans' wooded position until the enemy
came out and surrendered. Sgt. Hawk's fearless initiative and heroic
conduct, even while suffering from a painful wound, was in large measure
responsible for crushing 2 desperate attempts of the enemy to escape
from the Falaise Picket and for taking more than 500 prisoners.
HAWKINS, WILLIAM DEAN
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born:
19 .April 1914, Fort Scott, Kans. Appointed from: El Paso, Tex.
Citation: For valorous and gallant conduct above
and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a Scout Sniper
Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held
Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, 20 and 21 November 1943. The first to
disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved
forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing
emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions.
Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately
to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day
and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations
with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt.
Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead
of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile
position fortified by S enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in
the face of withering fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes
and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after
being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins
steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes
before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded.
His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition
and his exceptionally daring tactics served as an inspiration to his
comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the
highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life
for his country.
HAWKS, LLOYD C.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical
Detachment, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near
Carano, Italy, 30 January 1944. Entered service at: Park Rapids, Minn.
Born: 13 January 1911, Becker, Minn. G.O. No.: 5, 15 January 1945.
Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at risk
of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 30 January 1944, at 3
p.m., near Carano, Italy, Pfc. Hawks braved an enemy counterattack in
order to rescue 2 wounded men who, unable to move, were Iying in an
exposed position within 30 yards of the enemy. Two riflemen, attempting
the rescue, had been forced to return to their fighting holes by extremely
severe enemy machinegun fire, after crawling only 10 yards toward the
casualties. An aid man, whom the enemy could plainly identify as such,
had been critically wounded in a similar attempt. Pfc. Hawks, nevertheless,
crawled 50 yards through a veritable hail of machinegun bullets and
flying mortar fragments to a small ditch, administered first aid to
his fellow aid man who had sought cover therein, and continued toward
the 2 wounded men 50 yards distant. An enemy machinegun bullet penetrated
his helmet, knocking it from his head, momentarily stunning him. Thirteen
bullets passed through his helmet as it lay on the ground within 6 inches
of his body. Pfc. Hawks, crawled to the casualties, administered first
aid to the more seriously wounded man and dragged him to a covered position
25 yards distant. Despite continuous automatic fire from positions only
30 yards away and shells which exploded within 25 yards, Pfc. Hawks
returned to the second man and administered first aid to him. As he
raised himself to obtain bandages from his medical kit his right hip
was shattered by a burst of machinegun fire and a second burst splintered
his left forearm. Displaying dogged determination and extreme self-control,
Pfc. Hawks, despite severe pain and his dangling left arm, completed
the task of bandaging the remaining casualty and with superhuman effort
dragged him to the same depression to which he had brought the first
man. Finding insufficient cover for 3 men at this point, Pfc. Hawks
crawled 75 yards in an effort to regain his company, reaching the ditch
in which his fellow aid man was lying.
HAYASHI,
JOE
Citation: Private
Joe Hayashi distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action
on 20 and 22 April 1945, near Tendola, Italy. On 20 April 1945, ordered
to attack a strongly defended hill that commanded all approaches to
the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi skillfully led his men to a
point within 75 yards of enemy positions before they were detected and
fired upon. After dragging his wounded comrades to safety, he returned
alone and exposed himself to small arms fire in order to direct and
adjust mortar fire against hostile emplacements. Boldly attacking the
hill with the remaining men of his squad, he attained his objective
and discovered that the mortars had neutralized three machine guns,
killed 27 men, and wounded many others. On 22 April 1945, attacking
the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi maneuvered his squad up a steep,
terraced hill to within 100 yards of the enemy. Crawling under intense
fire to a hostile machine gun position, he threw a grenade, killing
one enemy soldier and forcing the other members of the gun crew to surrender.
Seeing four enemy machine guns delivering deadly fire upon other elements
of his platoon, he threw another grenade, destroying a machine gun nest.
He then crawled to the right flank of another machine gun position where
he killed four enemy soldiers and forced the others to flee. Attempting
to pursue the enemy, he was mortally wounded by a burst of machine pistol
fire. The dauntless courage and exemplary leadership of Private Hayashi
enabled his company to attain its objective. Private Hayashi’s extraordinary
heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions
of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the
United States Army.
HAYASHI,
SHIZUYA
Citation: Private Shizuya Hayashi distinguished
himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 November 1943, near
Cerasuolo, Italy. During a flank assault on high ground held by the
enemy, Private Hayashi rose alone in the face of grenade, rifle, and
machine gun fire. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he charged
and overtook an enemy machine gun position, killing seven men in the
nest and two more as they fled. After his platoon advanced 200 yards
from this point, an enemy antiaircraft gun opened fire on the men. Private
Hayashi returned fire at the hostile position, killing nine of the enemy,
taking four prisoners, and forcing the remainder of the force to withdraw
from the hill. Private Hayashi’s extraordinary heroism and devotion
to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
HEDRICK, CLINTON M.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company
I, 194th Glider Infantry, 17th Airborne Division. Place and date: Near
Lembeck, Germany, 27-28 March 1945. Entered service at: Riverton, W.
Va. Birth: Cherrygrove, W. Va. G.O. No.: 89, 19 October 1945.
Citation: He displayed extraordinary heroism and
gallantry in action on 2728 March 1945, in Germany. Following an airborne
landing near Wesel, his unit was assigned as the assault platoon for
the assault on Lembeck. Three times the landing elements were pinned
down by intense automatic weapons fire from strongly defended positions.
Each time, T/Sgt. Hedrick fearlessly charged through heavy fire, shooting
his automatic rifle from his hip. His courageous action so inspired
his men that they reduced the enemy positions in rapid succession. When
6 of the enemy attempted a surprise, flanking movement, he quickly turned
and killed the entire party with a burst of fire. Later, the enemy withdrew
across a moat into Lembeck Castle. T/Sgt. Hedrick, with utter disregard
for his own safety, plunged across the drawbridge alone in pursuit.
When a German soldier, with hands upraised, declared the garrison wished
to surrender, he entered the castle yard with 4 of his men to accept
the capitulation. The group moved through a sally port, and was met
by fire from a German self-propelled gun. Although mortally wounded,
T/Sgt. Hedrick fired at the enemy gun and covered the withdrawal of
his comrades. He died while being evacuated after the castle was taken.
His great personal courage and heroic leadership contributed in large
measure to the speedy capture of Lembeck and provided an inspiring example
to his comrades.
HENDRIX, JAMES R.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company C, 53d Armored
Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division. Place and date: Near Assenois,
Belgium, 26 December 1944. Entered service at: Lepanto, Ark. Birth:
Lepanto, Ark. G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945.
Citation: On the night of 26 December 1944, near
Assenois, Belgium, he was with the leading element engaged in the final
thrust to break through to the besieged garrison at Bastogne when halted
by a fierce combination of artillery and small arms fire. He dismounted
from his half-track and advanced against two 88mm. guns, and, by the
ferocity of his rifle fire, compelled the guncrews to take cover and
then to surrender. Later in the attack he again left his vehicle, voluntarily,
to aid 2 wounded soldiers, helpless and exposed to intense machinegun
fire. Effectively silencing 2 hostile machineguns, he held off the enemy
by his own fire until the wounded men were evacuated. Pvt. Hendrix again
distinguished himself when he hastened to the aid of still another soldier
who was trapped in a burning half-track. Braving enemy sniper fire and
exploding mines and ammunition in the vehicle, he extricated the wounded
man and extinguished his flaming clothing, thereby saving the life of
his fellow soldier. Pvt. Hendrix, by his superb courage and heroism,
exemplified the highest traditions of the military service.
HENRY, ROBERT T.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 16th Infantry, 1st
Infantry Division. Place and date: Luchem, Germany, 3 December 1944.
Entered service at: Greenville, Miss. Birth: Greenville, Miss. G.O.
No.: 45, 12 June 1945.
Citation: Near Luchem, Germany, he volunteered
to attempt the destruction of a nest of 5 enemy machineguns located
in a bunker 150 yards to the flank which had stopped the advance of
his platoon. Stripping off his pack, overshoes, helmet, and overcoat,
he sprinted alone with his rifle and hand grenades across the open terrain
toward the enemy emplacement. Before he had gone half the distance he
was hit by a burst of machinegun fire. Dropping his rifle, he continued
to stagger forward until he fell mortally wounded only 10 yards from
the enemy emplacement. His single-handed attack forced the enemy to
leave the machineguns. During this break in hostile fire the platoon
moved forward and overran the position. Pvt. Henry, by his gallantry
and intrepidity and utter disregard for his own life, enabled his company
to reach its objective, capturing this key defense and 70 German prisoners.
HERRERA, SILVESTRE S.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company
E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Mertzwiller,
France, 15 March 1945. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Birth: El
Paso, Tex. G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.
Citation: He advanced with a platoon along a wooded
road until stopped by heavy enemy machinegun fire. As the rest of the
unit took cover, he made a 1-man frontal assault on a strongpoint and
captured 8 enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and
was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive
minefield, Pvt. Herrera again moved forward, disregarding the danger
of exploding mines, to attack the position. He stepped on a mine and
had both feet severed but, despite intense pain and unchecked loss of
blood, he pinned down the enemy with accurate rifle fire while a friendly
squad captured the enemy gun by skirting the minefield and rushing in
from the flank. The magnificent courage, extraordinary heroism, and
willing self-sacrifice displayed by Pvt. Herrera resulted in the capture
of 2 enemy strongpoints and the taking of 8 prisoners.
HERRING, RUFUS G.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Naval Reserve, LCI (G)
449. Place and date: Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945. Entered service at:
North Carolina. Born: 11 June 1921, Roseboro, N.C. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of LCI (G) 449 operating
as a unit of LCI (G) Group 8, during the preinvasion attack on Iwo Jima
on 17 February 1945. Boldly closing the strongly fortified shores under
the devastating fire of Japanese coastal defense guns, Lt. (then Lt.
(j.g.)) Herring directed shattering barrages of 40mm. and 20mm. gunfire
against hostile beaches until struck down by the enemy's savage counterfire
which blasted the 449's heavy guns and whipped her decks into sheets
of flame. Regaining consciousness despite profuse bleeding he was again
critically wounded when a Japanese mortar crashed the conning station,
instantly killing or fatally wounding most of the officers and leaving
the ship wallowing without navigational control. Upon recovering the
second time, Lt. Herring resolutely climbed down to the pilothouse and,
fighting against his rapidly waning strength, took over the helm, established
communication with the engineroom, and carried on valiantly until relief
could be obtained. When no longer able to stand, he propped himself
against empty shell cases and rallied his men to the aid of the wounded;
he maintained position in the firing line with his 20mm. guns in action
in the face of sustained enemy fire, and conned his crippled ship to
safety. His unwavering fortitude, aggressive perseverance, and indomitable
spirit against terrific odds reflect the highest credit upon Lt. Herring
and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
HILL, EDWIN JOSEPH
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 4 October
1894, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania.
Citation: For distinguished conduct in the line
of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of his own safety
during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on
7 December 1941. During the height of the strafing and bombing, Chief
Boatswain Hill led his men of the linehandling details of the U.S.S.
Nevada to the quays, cast off the lines and swam back to his ship. Later,
while on the forecastle, attempting to let go the anchors, he was blown
overboard and killed by the explosion of several bombs.
HORNER, FREEMAN V.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K,
119th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division. Place and date: Wurselen, Germany,
16 November 1944. Entered service at: Shamokin, Pa. Birth: Mount Carmel,
Pa. G.O. No.: 95, 30 October 1945.
Citation: S/Sgt. Horner and other members of his
company were attacking Wurselen, Germany, against stubborn resistance
on 16 November 1944, when machinegun fire from houses on the edge of
the town pinned the attackers in flat, open terrain 100 yards from their
objective. As they lay in the field, enemy artillery observers directed
fire upon them, causing serious casualties. Realizing that the machineguns
must be eliminated in order to permit the company to advance from its
precarious position, S/Sgt. Horner voluntarily stood up with his submachine
gun and rushed into the teeth of concentrated fire, burdened by a heavy
load of ammunition and hand grenades. Just as he reached a position
of seeming safety, he was fired on by a machinegun which had remained
silent up until that time. He coolly wheeled in his fully exposed position
while bullets barely missed him and killed 2 hostile gunners with a
single, devastating burst. He turned to face the fire of the other 2
machineguns, and dodging fire as he ran, charged the 2 positions 50
yards away. Demoralized by their inability to hit the intrepid infantryman,
the enemy abandoned their guns and took cover in the cellar of the house
they occupied. S/Sgt. Horner burst into the building, hurled 2 grenades
down the cellar stairs, and called for the Germans to surrender. Four
men gave up to him. By his extraordinary courage, S/Sgt. Horner destroyed
3 enemy machinegun positions, killed or captured 7 enemy, and cleared
the path for his company's successful assault on Wurselen.
HOWARD, JAMES H. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place
and date: Over Oschersleben, Germany, 11 January 1944. Entered service
at: St. Louis, Mo. Birth: Canton, China. G.O. No.: 45, 5 June 1944.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Oschersleben,
Germany, on 11 January 1944. On that day Col. Howard was the leader
of a group of P51 aircraft providing support for a heavy bomber formation
on a long-range mission deep in enemy territory. As Col. Howard's group
met the bombers in the target area the bomber force was attacked by
numerous enemy fighters. Col. Howard, with his group, and at once engaged
the enemy and himself destroyed a German ME. 110. As a result of this
attack Col. Howard lost contact with his group, and at once returned
to the level of the bomber formation. He then saw that the bombers were
being heavily attacked by enemy airplanes and that no other friendly
fighters were at hand. While Col. Howard could have waited to attempt
to assemble his group before engaging the enemy, he chose instead to
attack single-handed a formation of more than 30 German airplanes. With
utter disregard for his own safety he immediately pressed home determined
attacks for some 30 minutes, during which time he destroyed 3 enemy
airplanes and probably destroyed and damaged others. Toward the end
of this engagement 3 of his guns went out of action and his fuel supply
was becoming dangerously low. Despite these handicaps and the almost
insuperable odds against him, Col. Howard continued his aggressive action
in an attempt to protect the bombers from the numerous fighters. His
skill, courage, and intrepidity on this occasion set an example of heroism
which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.
HUFF, PAUL B.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 509th Parachute Infantry
Battalion. Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 8 February 1944. Entered
service at: Cleveland, Tenn. Birth: Cleveland, Tenn. G.O. No.: 41, 26
May 1944.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, in action on 8 February
1944, near Carano, Italy. Cpl. Huff volunteered to lead a 6-man patrol
with the mission of determining the location and strength of an enemy
unit which was delivering fire on the exposed right flank of his company.
The terrain over which he had to travel consisted of exposed, rolling
ground, affording the enemy excellent visibility. As the patrol advanced,
its members were subjected to small arms and machinegun fire and a concentration
of mortar fire, shells bursting within 5 to 10 yards of them and bullets
striking the ground at their feet. Moving ahead of his patrol, Cpl.
Huff drew fire from 3 enemy machineguns and a 20mm. weapon. Realizing
the danger confronting his patrol, he advanced alone under deadly fire
through a minefield and arrived at a point within 75 yards of the nearest
machinegun position. Under direct fire from the rear machinegun, he
crawled the remaining 75 yards to the closest emplacement, killed the
crew with his submachine gun and destroyed the gun. During this act
he fired from a kneeling position which drew fire from other positions,
enabling him to estimate correctly the strength and location of the
enemy. Still under concentrated fire, he returned to his patrol and
led his men to safety. As a result of the information he gained, a patrol
in strength sent out that afternoon, 1 group under the leadership of
Cpl. Huff, succeeded in routing an enemy company of 125 men, killing
27 Germans and capturing 21 others, with a loss of only 3 patrol members.
Cpl. Huff's intrepid leadership and daring combat skill reflect the
finest traditions of the American infantryman.
HUGHES, LLOYD H. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 564th
Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group, 9th Air Force. Place and date:
Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered service at: San Antonio,
Tex. Born: 12 July 1921, Alexandria, La. G.O. No.: 17, 26 February 1944.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty. On August 1943, 2d Lt. Hughes served in the capacity of pilot
of a heavy bombardment aircraft participating in a long and hazardous
minimum-altitude attack against the Axis oil refineries of Ploesti,
Rumania, launched from the northern shores of Africa. Flying in the
last formation to attack the target, he arrived in the target area after
previous flights had thoroughly alerted the enemy defenses. Approaching
the target through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire and dense
balloon barrages at dangerously low altitude, his plane received several
direct hits from both large and small caliber antiaircraft guns which
seriously damaged his aircraft, causing sheets of escaping gasoline
to stream from the bomb bay and from the left wing. This damage was
inflicted at a time prior to reaching the target when 2d Lt. Hughes
could have made a forced landing in any of the grain fields readily
available at that time. The target area was blazing with burning oil
tanks and damaged refinery installations from which flames leaped high
above the bombing level of the formation. With full knowledge of the
consequences of entering this blazing inferno when his airplane was
profusely leaking gasoline in two separate locations, 2d Lt. Hughes,
motivated only by his high conception of duty which called for the destruction
of his assigned target at any cost, did not elect to make a forced landing
or turn back from the attack. Instead, rather than jeopardize the formation
and the success of the attack, he unhesitatingly entered the blazing
area and dropped his bomb load with great precision. After successfully
bombing the objective, his aircraft emerged from the conflagration with
the left wing aflame. Only then did he attempt a forced landing, but
because of the advanced stage of the fire enveloping his aircraft the
plane crashed and was consumed. By 2d Lt. Hughes' heroic decision to
complete his mission regardless of the consequences in utter disregard
of his own life, and by his gallant and valorous execution of this decision,
he has rendered a service to our country in the defeat of our enemies
which will everlastingly be outstanding in the annals of our Nation's
history.
HUTCHINS, JOHNNIE DAVID
Rank and organization: Seaman First Class, U.S. Naval Reserve.
Born: 4 August 1922, Weimer, Tex. Accredited to: Texas.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous
valor above and beyond the call of duty while serving on board a Landing
Ship, Tank, during the assault on Lae, New Guinea, 4 September 1943.
As the ship on which Hutchins was stationed approached the enemy-occupied
beach under a veritable hail of fire from Japanese shore batteries and
aerial bombardment, a hostile torpedo pierced the surf and bore down
upon the vessel with deadly accuracy. In the tense split seconds before
the helmsman could steer clear of the threatening missile, a bomb struck
the pilot house, dislodged him from his station, and left the stricken
ship helplessly exposed. Fully aware of the dire peril of the situation,
Hutchins, although mortally wounded by the shattering explosion, quickly
grasped the wheel and exhausted the last of his strength in maneuvering
the vessel clear of the advancing torpedo. Still clinging to the helm,
he eventually succumbed to his injuries, his final thoughts concerned
only with the safety of his ship, his final efforts expended toward
the security of his mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service
of his country.
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