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MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS KIYOSHI K. MURANAGA
Unit: Company F, 442nd Regimental Combat Team,
U.S. Army
Place of heroic deed: Suvereto, Italy
Date of heroic deed: June 26, 1944
*Awarded posthumously
CITATION
Private First Class Kiyoshi K. Muranaga distinguished himself
by extraordinary heroism in action on 26 June 1944, near Suvereto,
Italy. Private First Class Muranaga’s company encountered
a strong enemy force in commanding positions and with superior
firepower. An enemy 88mm self-propelled gun opened direct fire
on the company, causing the men to disperse and seek cover. Private
First Class Muranaga’s mortar squad was ordered to action,
but the terrain made it impossible to set up their weapons. The
squad leader, realizing the vulnerability of the mortar position,
moved his men away from the gun to positions of relative safety.
Because of the heavy casualties being inflicted on his company,
Private First Class Muranaga, who served as a gunner, attempted
to neutralize the 88mm weapon alone. Voluntarily remaining at
his gun position, Private First Class Muranaga manned the mortar
himself and opened fire on the enemy gun at a range of approximately
400 yards. With his third round, he was able to correct his fire
so that the shell landed directly in front of the enemy gun. Meanwhile,
the enemy crew, immediately aware of the source of the mortar
fire, turned their 88mm weapon directly on Private First Class
Muranaga’s position. Before Private First Class Muranaga
could fire a fourth round, an 88mm shell scored a direct hit on
his position, killing him instantly. Because of the accuracy of
Private First Class Muranaga’s previous fire, the enemy
soldiers decided not to risk further exposure and immediately
abandoned their position. Private First Class Muranaga’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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