Medal of Honor: Rodney J. T. Yano – Vietnam War – Republic of Vietnam – January 1969
When fire erupted inside a crippled helicopter, he chose to fight the flames with his own body. Gravely wounded and nearly blind, he saved his crew by refusing to let the aircraft become their tomb.
January 1, 2026
Name: Rodney J. T. Yano
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Place: Near Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Honolulu, Hawaii
Born: Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii
Summary of Action
On 1 January 1969, Sergeant First Class Rodney J. T. Yano distinguished himself while serving as crew chief aboard the Air Cavalry Troop’s command and control helicopter during combat operations near Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Enemy forces, well entrenched in dense jungle terrain, subjected the aircraft to intense small-arms and antiaircraft fire.
From an exposed position, Sergeant First Class Yano returned suppressive fire and marked enemy locations with smoke and white phosphorous grenades, enabling the troop commander to direct accurate and devastating artillery fire against hostile emplacements. During this action, a grenade detonated prematurely, showering him with burning white phosphorous and inflicting severe wounds.
The explosion ignited ammunition and supplies inside the helicopter, filling the cabin with dense white smoke and flames. The pilot, partially blinded, began to lose control of the aircraft. Despite being severely wounded, partially blinded, and able to use only one arm, Sergeant First Class Yano ignored his own injuries and began hurling blazing ammunition and burning debris from the aircraft.
As he threw the flaming materials clear, he suffered additional wounds but continued his efforts until the immediate danger had passed and control of the helicopter was regained. His actions prevented the aircraft from being lost and saved the lives of the entire crew. Sergeant First Class Yano later succumbed to his wounds.
Through his indomitable courage, selfless devotion to duty, and profound concern for his comrades, Sergeant First Class Yano gave his life so that others might live, exemplifying the highest traditions of military service.
Medal of Honor Citation
From an exposed position in the face of intense small arms and antiaircraft fire he delivered suppressive fire upon the enemy forces and marked their positions with smoke and white phosphorous grenades, thus enabling his troop commander to direct accurate and effective artillery fire against the hostile emplacements. A grenade, exploding prematurely, covered him with burning phosphorous and left him severely wounded.
Flaming fragments within the helicopter caused supplies and ammunition to detonate. Dense white smoke filled the aircraft, obscuring the pilot’s vision and causing him to lose control. Although having the use of only one arm and being partially blinded by the initial explosion, Sfc. Yano completely disregarded his welfare and began hurling blazing ammunition from the helicopter.
In so doing he inflicted additional wounds upon himself, yet he persisted until the danger was past. Sfc. Yano’s indomitable courage and profound concern for his comrades averted loss of life and additional injury to the rest of the crew. By his conspicuous gallantry at the cost of his life, in the highest traditions of the military service, Sfc. Yano reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
