Medal of Honor: Frank H. Ono – World War II, July 4, 1944

Frank H. Ono
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Unit: Company G, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Conflict: World War II
Date of Action: July 4, 1944
Location: Near Castellina, Italy

Summary of Action:

On July 4, 1944, amid the bitter mountain fighting in Tuscany, Italy, Private First Class Frank H. Ono of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team displayed fearless determination and unparalleled bravery. The 442nd, composed mostly of second-generation Japanese Americans (Nisei), was fighting not only to defeat fascism abroad but also to prove loyalty to a country that had interned their families back home. Ono embodied this struggle in one desperate fight on a rugged hilltop near Castellina.

As his squad pushed toward a heavily defended enemy position, they were caught in a maelstrom of machine gun and small arms fire. Acting with calm precision, Ono silenced a German machine gun nest 300 yards to the front with accurate bursts from his automatic rifle. Moving forward under fire, he took out a sniper, then single-handedly held the advanced position while the rest of the platoon reorganized. Even after his weapon was shot from his hands by enemy machine pistol fire, Ono fought on with grenades, preventing enemy troops from overrunning his position.

Undeterred, he grabbed a wounded comrade’s rifle and rejoined the assault. After eliminating two more enemy soldiers, Ono braved heavy fire to aid his injured platoon leader and another wounded rifleman. When the unit was ordered to withdraw, he volunteered to cover the retreat—exposing himself repeatedly to machine gun and sniper fire from higher ground. Firing steadily as he fell back in stages, he ensured the platoon’s survival.

Pfc. Ono’s courage and unyielding will to fight reflect not just the extraordinary valor of an individual soldier, but the legacy of an entire unit who served with distinction while facing discrimination at home. His actions that day were not only tactically critical, but morally symbolic—demonstrating the patriotism of a man whose loyalty was never in question on the battlefield.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Private First Class Frank H. Ono distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 4 July 1944, near Castellina, Italy. In attacking a heavily defended hill, Private First Class Ono’s squad was caught in a hail of formidable fire from the well-entrenched enemy. Private First Class Ono opened fire with his automatic rifle and silenced one machine gun 300 hundred yards to the right front. Advancing through incessant fire, he killed a sniper with another burst of fire, and while his squad leader reorganized the rest of the platoon in the rear, he alone defended the critical position. His weapon was then wrenched from his grasp by a burst of enemy machine pistol fire as enemy troops attempted to close in on him. Hurling hand grenades, Private First Class Ono forced the enemy to abandon the attempt, resolutely defending the newly won ground until the rest of the platoon moved forward. Taking a wounded comrade’s rifle, Private First Class Ono again joined in the assault. After killing two more enemy soldiers, he boldly ran through withering automatic, small arms, and mortar fire to render first aid to his platoon leader and a seriously wounded rifleman. In danger of being encircled, the platoon was ordered to withdraw. Volunteering to cover the platoon, Private First Class Ono occupied virtually unprotected positions near the crest of the hill, engaging an enemy machine gun emplaced on an adjoining ridge and exchanging fire with snipers armed with machine pistols. Completely disregarding his own safety, he made himself the constant target of concentrated enemy fire until the platoon reached the comparative safety of a draw. He then descended the hill in stages, firing his rifle, until he rejoined the platoon. Private First Class Ono’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.