Medal of Honor: Shinyei Nakamine - World War II - June 2, 1944

Name: Shinyei Nakamine
Rank: Private
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Date of Action: June 2, 1944
Location: Near La Torreto, Italy

Summary of Action

On 2 June 1944, Private Shinyei Nakamine displayed extraordinary heroism during combat operations near La Torreto, Italy.

As his platoon advanced against German defenses, it was suddenly halted by intense crossfire from enemy machine-gun positions located on a small knoll approximately two hundred yards ahead.

Recognizing that the enemy guns threatened the entire attack, Nakamine acted on his own initiative.

Leaving cover, he crawled toward one of the machine-gun positions while enemy fire swept the battlefield.

Closing to within twenty-five yards of the emplacement, he suddenly charged forward with his submachine gun blazing.

His surprise attack killed three German soldiers and forced two others to surrender, eliminating one of the key enemy positions that had pinned down the platoon.

Later that afternoon, Nakamine spotted an enemy soldier maneuvering on the right flank of the American position.

Again leaving the safety of cover, he crawled forward and killed the soldier before he could threaten the platoon.

Continuing to search for enemy strongpoints, Nakamine soon identified another machine-gun nest approximately seventy-five yards ahead.

Returning to his platoon, he organized and led an automatic rifle team toward the position.

While his men provided covering fire, Nakamine crawled to within grenade range and launched a determined assault.

His grenades wounded one enemy soldier and forced four others to surrender.

Still not satisfied that the area had been secured, Nakamine spotted yet another machine-gun position approximately one hundred yards away on the right flank.

Once again he led the automatic rifle team forward in an effort to destroy the threat.

As the assault developed, he was struck and killed by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire.

Through repeated acts of courage and aggressive leadership, Nakamine destroyed multiple enemy positions, captured prisoners, and helped clear the way for the continued advance of his unit.

Medal of Honor Citation

NAKAMINE, SHINYEI

Private Shinyei Nakamine distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 2 June 1944, near La Torreto, Italy. During an attack, Private Nakamine’s platoon became pinned down by intense machine gun crossfire from a small knoll 200 yards to the front. On his own initiative, Private Nakamine crawled toward one of the hostile weapons. Reaching a point 25 yards from the enemy, he charged the machine gun nest, firing his submachine gun, and killed three enemy soldiers and captured two. Later that afternoon, Private Nakamine discovered an enemy soldier on the right flank of his platoon’s position. Crawling 25 yards from his position, Private Nakamine opened fire and killed the soldier. Then, seeing a machine gun nest to his front approximately 75 yards away, he returned to his platoon and led an automatic rifle team toward the enemy. Under covering fire from his team, Private Nakamine crawled to a point 25 yards from the nest and threw hand grenades at the enemy soldiers, wounding one and capturing four. Spotting another machine gun nest 100 yards to his right flank, he led the automatic rifle team toward the hostile position but was killed by a burst of machine gun fire. Private Nakamine’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.