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

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

Summary of Action

On 15 July 1944, Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani displayed extraordinary heroism while leading his platoon during an attack near Pieve di S. Luce, Italy.

As the platoon advanced toward its hilltop objective, it was suddenly pinned down in an exposed wheat field by intense fire from well-concealed German machine-gun and sniper positions.

Recognizing that every moment his men remained in the open increased the likelihood of devastating casualties, Otani immediately left the safety of his own position. Spotting a sniper who was inflicting deadly losses on the platoon, he calmly engaged and killed the enemy marksman.

Without hesitation, he then sprinted across the fire-swept field toward the base of a nearby cliff, drawing a stream of enemy machine-gun fire onto himself while directing his soldiers to crawl toward the relative protection of the rocky slope.

When the movement of the platoon drew even heavier enemy fire, Otani deliberately exposed himself again, moving along the cliff face to divert the Germans' attention. His actions enabled many of the men nearest the cliff to reach safety.

After organizing those who had reached cover to guard against a possible counterattack, he returned across the open field once more, shouting instructions to the soldiers still stranded and continuing to attract hostile fire away from them.

Reaching the rear of the platoon's position, Otani took cover in a shallow ditch and directed covering fire while additional men moved forward.

During the withdrawal, one soldier was seriously wounded and left lying in the open under direct enemy observation.

Ordering the remaining men to stay under cover, Otani crawled alone toward his wounded comrade despite the continuing machine-gun fire.

Reaching the soldier, he dragged him into the shallow protection of a ditch and immediately began administering first aid.

As he worked to save the wounded man, Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani was struck by enemy machine-gun fire and mortally wounded.

His repeated willingness to expose himself so that others might live, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to save a fellow soldier, embodied the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

OTANI, KAZUO

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army.

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.