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MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT
PRIVATE BARNEY F. HAJIRO
Unit: Company I, 442nd Regimental Combat Team,
U.S. Army
Place of heroic deed: Bruyeres and Biffontaine,
France
Date of heroic deed: October 1944
*Living recipient
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 on him, his unit, and the United States
Army.
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