Medal of Honor: Barney F. Hajiro – World War II – October 19, 22 & 29, 1944

Name: Barney Fushimi Hajiro
Rank: Private
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company I, 3rd Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Place and Date: Bruyères and Biffontaine, France – 19, 22, and 29 October 1944
Entered Service At: Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Born: September 16, 1916 – Pepeekeo, Territory of Hawaii
Departed: January 21, 2011
Accredited To: Hawaii

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Summary of Action

In October 1944, amid the dense forests and steep ridges of the Vosges Mountains, Private Barney F. Hajiro repeatedly placed himself at extreme risk to protect his fellow soldiers and drive enemy forces from fortified positions.

On 19 October, serving as a sentry near Bruyères, Hajiro climbed atop an exposed embankment to direct suppressive fire upon an enemy strongpoint 200 yards away. Ignoring heavy return fire, he guided the assaulting troops forward and engaged enemy snipers threatening a neighboring unit, killing or wounding two and helping to break German resistance.

On 22 October, he and a fellow soldier advanced 50 yards beyond friendly lines to establish an outpost. Concealed at close range, the pair suddenly confronted an 18-man, heavily armed German patrol. Opening fire without hesitation, Hajiro killed two, wounded another, and helped capture the remaining enemy soldiers—an extraordinary feat of initiative against overwhelming numbers.

On 29 October, near Biffontaine, Hajiro initiated an assault on a steep, heavily defended rise known to his company as “Suicide Hill.” Sprinting nearly 100 yards under intense fire, he moved ahead of his squad by ten yards, deliberately drawing enemy attention. As he advanced, he located concealed machine-gun nests and engaged them directly, single-handedly destroying two and eliminating two snipers. His daring assault enabled his company to seize the hill and continue the attack.

Private Hajiro’s fearless actions over these three engagements exemplified conspicuous gallantry, directly contributed to the success of his unit, and stand among the most heroic deeds of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

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Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team

Entered service at: Honolulu, T.H.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in France. While acting as sentry on 19 October, Private Hajiro stood exposed on an embankment to direct fire on enemy strongpoints, assisting attacking forces and silencing hostile snipers. On 22 October, he and one comrade established an outpost beyond friendly lines and ambushed an eighteen-man enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and capturing the remainder. On 29 October, in the assault on a heavily defended slope near Biffontaine, he charged forward under intense fire, advanced ahead of his unit to draw enemy attention, and with fearless determination destroyed two camouflaged machine-gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. His heroic actions enabled the advance to succeed. Private Hajiro’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.