Medal of Honor: Kazuo Otani – World War II, July 15, 1944

Name: Kazuo Otani
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 442nd Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army
Date of Action: July 15, 1944
Location: Near Pieve di S. Luce, Italy

Summary of Action:
On July 15, 1944, near the rolling hills of Tuscany, Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani led his platoon into the jaws of enemy fire. Advancing across an open wheat field toward a strategic hilltop objective, Otani’s unit was suddenly pinned down by withering fire from German machine guns and snipers concealed in the surrounding terrain. Caught in the open, the platoon faced annihilation.

Recognizing the deadly threat, Otani did not hesitate. He broke cover, killed a sniper who was cutting down his men, and sprinted across the exposed field to the base of a cliff—bullets trailing him the entire way. From there, he directed his soldiers to crawl to safety, then ran along the cliff’s edge, deliberately drawing fire to shield their movement.

Even as enemy fire intensified, Otani returned across the open ground, issuing commands to stranded soldiers and positioning those who had made it to cover for a possible counterattack. When a member of his platoon was struck and lay helpless in full view of the enemy, Otani once again rose from safety. He crawled under fire to the wounded man, dragged him to a shallow ditch, and began administering first aid.

It was then that a burst of machine gun fire cut him down.

Staff Sergeant Otani’s actions that day saved lives, turned the tide of battle, and became a lasting symbol of the courage and sacrifice of the Nisei soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team—Japanese Americans who fought valiantly for a country that, at the time, still held many of their families in internment camps.

His bravery and ultimate sacrifice are among the finest examples of battlefield valor in American history.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 15 July 1944, near Pieve Di S. Luce, Italy. Advancing to attack a hill objective, Staff Sergeant Otani’s platoon became pinned down in a wheat field by concentrated fire from enemy machine gun and sniper positions. Realizing the danger confronting his platoon, Staff Sergeant Otani left his cover and shot and killed a sniper who was firing with deadly effect upon the platoon. Followed by a steady stream of machine gun bullets, Staff Sergeant Otani then dashed across the open wheat field toward the foot of a cliff, and directed his men to crawl to the cover of the cliff. When the movement of the platoon drew heavy enemy fire, he dashed along the cliff toward the left flank, exposing himself to enemy fire. By attracting the attention of the enemy, he enabled the men closest to the cliff to reach cover. Organizing these men to guard against possible enemy counterattack, Staff Sergeant Otani again made his way across the open field, shouting instructions to the stranded men while continuing to draw enemy fire. Reaching the rear of the platoon position, he took partial cover in a shallow ditch and directed covering fire for the men who had begun to move forward. At this point, one of his men became seriously wounded. Ordering his men to remain under cover, Staff Sergeant Otani crawled to the wounded soldier who was lying on open ground in full view of the enemy. Dragging the wounded soldier to a shallow ditch, Staff Sergeant Otani proceeded to render first aid treatment, but was mortally wounded by machine gun fire. Staff Sergeant Otani’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.