Name: Barney F. Hajiro
Rank: Private
War: World War II
Date of Action: October 19, 22, and 29, 1944
Unit: Company I, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Born: September 16, 1916 – Pu’unene, Maui, Hawaii
Entered Service At: Honolulu, Hawaii
Summary of Action
Private Barney Hajiro was one of the Nisei warriors of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team—the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service. In October 1944, during the fierce fighting to liberate the French towns of Bruyères and Biffontaine, Hajiro proved his unmatched valor time and again.
On October 19, while acting as a sentry, he climbed atop an embankment under enemy fire to direct suppressive fire that allowed Allied troops to assault a German-held house. Three days later, he and one comrade ambushed an 18-man German patrol, killing and wounding several before capturing the rest. Then, on October 29, as his unit attacked a hill known grimly as “Suicide Hill,” Hajiro broke from cover and sprinted 100 yards ahead of his men under withering fire. Advancing even farther, he pinpointed enemy machine-gun nests and single-handedly destroyed two of them, killing multiple German snipers in the process.
His fearless advance turned what might have been a massacre into victory. Hajiro’s audacity, courage, and sacrifice embodied the warrior spirit of the 442nd and earned him a place among America’s greatest heroes.
Medal of Honor Citation
HAJIRO, BARNEY F.
Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as “Suicide Hill” by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro’s heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
