Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor Recipients Born in Hawaii

Medal of Honor Recipients born in Hawaii

NameBranchBirth PlaceMedal Accredited to:
Hajiro, Barney F.ArmyPunene, Maui, HIHonolulu, HI
Hasemoto, MikioArmyHonolulu, HISchofield Barracks, HI
Hayashi, ShizuyaArmyWaiakea, Oahu, HISchofield Barracks, HI
Inouye, Daniel K.ArmyHonolulu, HIHonolulu, HI
Kobashigawa, YeikiArmyHilo, HIHonolulu, HI
Kuroda, RobertArmyAiea, Oahu, HIHonolulu, HI
Moto, KaoruArmySpreckelsville, Maui, HISpreckelsville, Maui, HI
Nakae, MasatoArmyLihue, Kauiai, HIHonolulu, HI
Nakamine, ShinyeiArmyWaianae, Oahu, HIHonolulu, HI
Ohata, Allan M.ArmyHonolulu, HIHonolulu, HI
Okutsu, YukioArmyKoloa, Kauai, HIKoloa, Kauai, HI
Wai, Francis B.ArmyHonolulu, HIHonolulu, HI

Korean War

NameBranchBirth PlaceMedal Accredited to:
Mendonca, Leroy A.ArmyHonolulu, HIHonolulu, HI
Pililaau, Herbert KArmyWaianae, HIOahu, HI

Viet Nam

NameBranchBirth PlaceMedal Accredited to:
Kawamura, Terry TeruoArmyWahiawa, HIOahu, HI
Smith, Elmelindo RodriquesArmyHonolulu, HIHonolulu, HI
Yano, Rodney James TadashiArmyKealakekua Kona, HIHonolulu, HI
Smith, JamesNavyHawaiiNew York, NY
Versace, Humbert RoqueArmyHonoluluNorfolk, VA

We wish to thank Charles for all the work he does for others gathering and submitting information of value. Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, data compiled and donated by C. W. Barnum, 2010

3 thoughts on “Medal of Honor Recipients Born in Hawaii”

  1. please see below
    Kanaka Medal of Honor Recipients https://homeofheroes.com/medal-of-honor/medal-of-honor-recipients/

    Pililaau, Herbert K. Private First Class United States Army Oahu Korean War
    Home State Hawaii
    Company Company C

    Bio
    A native Hawaiian, Herbert Pililaau was deeply religious and initially considered applying for status as a conscious objector.
    Date of Birth 10-Oct-28

    Citation The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Herbert K. Pililaau (ASN: 50001702), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Pia-ri, Korea, on 17 September 1951. The enemy sent wave after wave of fanatical troops against Private First Class Pililaau’s platoon which held a key terrain feature on “Heartbreak Ridge.” Valiantly defending its position, the unit repulsed each attack until ammunition became practically exhausted and it was ordered to withdraw to a new position. Voluntarily remaining behind to cover the withdrawal, Private First Class Pililaau fired his automatic weapon into the ranks of the assailants, threw all his grenades and, with ammunition exhausted, closed with the foe in hand-to-hand combat, courageously fighting with his trench knife and bare fists until finally overcome and mortally wounded. When the position was subsequently retaken, more than 40 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so valiantly defended. His heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the United States Army.
    Award Authority Department of the Army, General Orders No. 58 (June 18, 1952)

    Award Presentation Presented to his Father, at the Pentagon, by Secretary of the Army Frank C. Pace, on March 26, 1952

    Award Action Date 17-Sep-51

    Regiment 23d Infantry Regiment
    Division 2d Infantry Division
    Battle-Incident Pia-ri, Korea
    Birth Town Waianae
    Birth State Hawaii
    Date of Death KIA: September 17, 1951
    Cemetery National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
    Burial City Honolulu
    Where Buried Hawaii
    KIA-MIA-POW KIA (Korea)

    Kaho’ohanohano, Anthony T. Private First Class United States Army Wailuku,
    Maui Korean War

    Home State Hawaii
    Company Company H

    Bio
    Anthony Kahoohanohano was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism in the act that cost him his life. More than 50 years later, in a review of his action, his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor and presented in 2011 to his surviving family members.
    Date of Birth 1930

    Citation The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to (Posthumously) to Private First Class Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano (ASN: RA-29040479), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Private First Class Kahoohanohano distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chup’a-ri, Korea, on 1 September 1951. On that date, Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano was in charge of machine-gun squads supporting the defense positioning of Company F when a numerically superior enemy force launched a fierce attack. Because of the enemy’s overwhelming numbers, friendly troops were forced to execute a limited withdrawal. As the men fell back, Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano ordered his squad to take up more defensible positions and provide covering fire for the withdrawing friendly force. Although having been wounded in the soldier during the initial enemy assault, Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano gathered a supply of grenades and ammunition and returned to his original position to face the enemy alone. As the hostile troops concentrated their strength against his emplacement and in an effort to overrun it, Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano fought fiercely and courageously, delivering deadly accurate fire into the ranks of the onrushing enemy. When his ammunition was depleted, he engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano’s heroic stand so inspired his comrades that they launched a counter-attack that completely repulsed the enemy. Upon reaching Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano’s emplacement, friendly troops discovered 11 enemy soldiers lying dead in front of the emplacement, and two inside it, killed in hand-to-hand combat. Private First Class Kaho’ohanohano’s extraordinary heroism and selfish devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

    Award Presentation Presented to his family by President Barack Obama at the White House on May 2, 2011
    Award Action Date 1-Sep-51

    Battalion 2d Battalion
    Regiment 17th Infantry Regiment
    Division 7th Infantry Division
    Battle-Incident Chup’a-ri, Korea
    Birth Town Maui
    Birth State Hawaii
    Date of Death KIA: September 1, 1951
    Cemetery Makawao Veterans Cemetery
    Headstone kaho’ohanohano anthony t.
    Burial City Makawao
    Where Buried Hawaii
    KIA-MIA-POW KIA (Korea)

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