         
|
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT
TECHNICAL SERGEANT TED T. TANOUYE
Unit: Company K, 442nd Regimental Combat Team,
U.S. Army
Place of heroic deed: Molina A Ventoabbto, Italy
Date of heroic deed: July 7, 1944
*Awarded posthumously
CITATION
Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye distinguished himself by extraordinary
heroism in action on 7 July 1944, near Molino A Ventoabbto, Italy.
Technical Sergeant Tanouye led his platoon in an attack to capture
the crest of a strategically important hill that afforded little
cover. Observing an enemy machine gun crew placing its gun in
position to his left front, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crept forward
a few yards and opened fire on the position, killing or wounding
three and causing two others to disperse. Immediately, an enemy
machine pistol opened fire on him. He returned the fire and killed
or wounded three more enemy soldiers. While advancing forward,
Technical Sergeant Tanouye was subjected to grenade bursts, which
severely wounded his left arm. Sighting an enemy-held trench,
he raked the position with fire from his submachine gun and wounded
several of the enemy. Running out of ammunition, he crawled 20
yards to obtain several clips from a comrade on his left flank.
Next, sighting an enemy machine pistol that had pinned down his
men, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crawled forward a few yards and
threw a hand grenade into the position, silencing the pistol.
He then located another enemy machine gun firing down the slope
of the hill, opened fire on it, and silenced that position. Drawing
fire from a machine pistol nest located above him, he opened fire
on it and wounded three of is occupants. Finally taking his objective,
Technical Sergeant Tanouye organized a defensive position on the
reverse slope of the hill before accepting first aid treatment
and evacuation. Technical Sergeant Tanouye’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.
|
|
