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MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WILLIAM K. NAKAMURA
Unit: Company G, 442nd Regimental Combat Team,
U.S. Army
Place of heroic deed: Castellina, Italy
Date of heroic deed: July 4, 1944
*Awarded posthumously
CITATION
Private First Class William K. Nakamura distinguished himself
by extraordinary heroism in action on 4 July 1944, near Castellina,
Italy. During a fierce firefight, Private First Class Nakamura’s
platoon became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a concealed
position. On his own initiative, Private First Class Nakamura
crawled 20 yards toward the hostile nest with fire from the enemy
machine gun barely missing him. Reaching a point 15 yards from
the position, he quickly raised himself to a kneeling position
and threw four hand grenades, killing or wounding at least three
of the enemy soldiers. The enemy weapon silenced, Private First
Class Nakamura crawled back to his platoon, which was able to
continue its advance as a result of his courageous action. Later,
his company was ordered to withdraw from the crest of a hill so
that a mortar barrage could be placed on the ridge. On his own
initiative, Private First Class Nakamura remained in position
to cover his comrades’ withdrawal. While moving toward the
safety of a wooded draw, his platoon became pinned down by deadly
machine gun fire. Crawling to a point from which he could fire
on the enemy position, Private First Class Nakamura quickly and
accurately fired his weapon to pin down the enemy machine gunners.
His platoon was then able to withdraw to safety without further
casualties. Private First Class Nakamura was killed during this
heroic stand. Private First Class Nakamura’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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