American Valor Quarterly Issue 1 - Winter 2007 | Page 19

Pell: It was also quite a recognition that you received it
not only when you did but under the circumstances that
you did, while so many of the 442nd were denied that for
many, many years.

to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machinegun squad
leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men
unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet
in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of
the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first
Miyamura: Yes. I heard from some of the fellows I had aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As
trained with about the bravery of a lot of the boys, and another savage assault hit the line, he manned his
that they deserved a medal of some kind. Many years later machinegun and delivered withering fire until his
I read the citations of their Distinguished Service Crosses. ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to
When I read the DSC citations, I thought to myself, “This withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun
is equivalent to a Medal of Honor citation, and they deserve inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated
the Medal of Honor for this action.” A panel of officers enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted
came to the same conclusion. So out of 20-some men that in its operation. When the intensity of the attack
were selected to be
necessitated
the
reviewed, 22 were
withdrawal of the
later upgraded to the
company
Cpl.
Medal of Honor
Miyamura ordered his
(before these upgrades in
men to fall back while
2000, only one had been
he remained to cover
awarded previously, to
their movement. He
PFC
Sadao
S.
killed more than 50 of
Munemori in 1946).
the enemy before his
ammunition
was
Pell: When you look
depleted and he was
back
on
this
severely wounded. He
experience, what are
maintained
his
your thoughts today?
magnificent stand
despite his painful
Miyamura: Well, I
wounds, continuing to
am just very thankful
repel the attack until
that I am still around. High school students line up to shake the hands of “Hershey” Miyamura and fellow his position was
Medal of Honor recipient George “Bud” Day at the American Veterans Center’s annual
As I mention in all of conference. At the conference, students are given the opportunity to meet and hear the overrun. When last
my inter views, I
seen he was fighting
experiences, first-hand, of America’s greatest heroes.
would like people to
ferociously against an
know I believe it is my faith in God that carried me through, overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura’s
and I encourage the young people of today to find God in indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty
their lives. I know he will carry them through, because in reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious
their darkest days, they will never be alone.
traditions on the military service.
One hundred and thirty-one men received the Medal of Honor for
their service in Korea: 78 Army, 42 Marines, seven Navy, and four Hiroshi Miyamura was presented with the first Raymond G. Davis Award
for Distinguished Service in the Korean War by the American Veterans
Air Force. Hiroshi Miyamura’s citation reads as following:
Center in 2006. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team—the Japanese
American outfit that became the most decorated unit in American military
Near Taejon-ni, 24 and 25 April, 1951:
history for its size and length of service—was honored with the 2007 Audie
Murphy Award at the recent 10th Annual Conference held from November
Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished
8-10, 2007.

himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the This, and many other episodes of Veterans Chronicles, can be heard at
night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive www.americanveteranscenter.org.
position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening
Korea
American Valor Quarterly - Winter, 2007/08 - 19