Medal of Honor: Herbert K. Pililaau, Korean War, September 17, 1951

Name: Herbert K. Pililaau
Rank: Private First Class
War: Korean War
Date of Action: September 17, 1951
Unit: Company C, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Place: Near Pia-ri, Korea
Born: October 10, 1928, Waianae, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii

Summary of Action

On September 17, 1951, during the brutal fighting on Heartbreak Ridge, PFC Herbert K. Pililaau’s platoon held a vital terrain feature against repeated massed enemy assaults. Wave after wave of fanatical attackers crashed into their lines. Low on ammunition and ordered to withdraw, Pililaau volunteered to stay behind and cover his comrades’ retreat.

From his exposed position, he poured automatic fire into the advancing enemy, hurled grenades until none remained, and then—out of ammunition—stood his ground with his trench knife and bare fists. He fought on in savage hand-to-hand combat until he was finally overcome and killed. When the ground was retaken the next day, more than 40 enemy bodies lay strewn around the position where he made his last stand.

His fearless defiance turned what could have been a rout into a fighting withdrawal, saving lives and inspiring his fellow soldiers. Pililaau’s sacrifice was remembered not only by his brothers in arms, but by the people of Hawaii, who knew him as a gentle man transformed into a warrior in his final moments.

Official Medal of Honor Citation

Pfc. Pililaau, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. The enemy sent wave after wave of fanatical troops against his platoon which held a key terrain feature on “Heartbreak Ridge.” Valiantly defending its position, the unit repulsed each attack until ammunition became practically exhausted and it was ordered to withdraw to a new position. Voluntarily remaining behind to cover the withdrawal, Pfc. Pililaau fired his automatic weapon into the ranks of the assailants, threw all his grenades and, with ammunition exhausted, closed with the foe in hand-to-hand combat, courageously fighting with his trench knife and bare fists until finally overcome and mortally wounded. When the position was subsequently retaken, more than 40 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so valiantly defended. His heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.