Kaoru Moto – Medal of Honor, World War II July 7, 1944

Name: Kaoru Moto

Rank: Private First Class
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 442nd Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army
Date of Action: July 7, 1944
Location: Near Castellina, Italy

Summary of Action:
Private First Class Kaoru Moto, a Nisei soldier of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion, displayed fearless initiative and combat prowess during a critical advance near Castellina. As his platoon came under fire from a machine gun nest, Moto acted without orders, advancing alone to within ten paces of the enemy and killing the gunner. When the assistant gunner opened fire, Moto flanked the position, forced the enemy soldier to surrender, and continued the fight—now with a prisoner in tow.

Refusing to be sidelined, Moto took up a new position to prevent enemy use of a nearby house. When a second machine gun team attempted to set up, he drove them back with precise fire. Though wounded by a sniper, he self-administered first aid and pressed forward. En route to seek medical care, Moto discovered another enemy machine gun nest. He wounded two soldiers, then approached under fire and compelled the third to surrender. Wounded, outnumbered, and alone, Moto took five enemy soldiers out of the fight and helped clear the way for his unit’s advance.

Citation:
Private First Class Kaoru Moto distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 7 July 1944, near Castellina, Italy. While serving as first scout, Private First Class Moto observed a machine gun nest that was hindering his platoon’s progress. On his own initiative, he made his way to a point ten paces from the hostile position, and killed the enemy machine gunner. Immediately, the enemy assistant gunner opened fire in the direction of Private First Class Moto. Crawling to the rear of the position, Private First Class Moto surprised the enemy soldier, who quickly surrendered. Taking his prisoner with him, Private First Class Moto took a position a few yards from a house to prevent the enemy from using the building as an observation post. While guarding the house and his prisoner, he observed an enemy machine gun team moving into position. He engaged them, and with deadly fire forced the enemy to withdraw. An enemy sniper located in another house fired at Private First Class Moto, severely wounding him. Applying first aid to his wound, he changed position to elude the sniper fire and to advance. Finally relieved of his position, he made his way to the rear for treatment. Crossing a road, he spotted an enemy machine gun nest. Opening fire, he wounded two of the three soldiers occupying the position. Not satisfied with this accomplishment, he then crawled forward to a better position and ordered the enemy soldier to surrender. Receiving no answer, Private First Class Moto fired at the position, and the soldiers surrendered. Private First Class Moto’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.