Medal of Honor: Ted T. Tanouye – World War II – July 7, 1944
In northern Italy, an American platoon was pinned down by enemy machine guns and trenches on a key hill. Though gravely wounded, one technical sergeant refused evacuation and kept destroying enemy positions until the hill was taken.
July 7, 2026
Name: Ted T. Tanouye
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Date of Action: July 7, 1944
Location: Near Molino a Ventoabbto, Italy
Summary of Action
On 7 July 1944, Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye led his platoon in an assault against a strategically vital hill near Molino a Ventoabbto, Italy.
The exposed slope offered almost no cover, and as the platoon advanced it came under intense enemy machine-gun and automatic-weapons fire.
Spotting an enemy machine-gun crew establishing a firing position to his left front, Tanouye crawled forward and opened fire, killing or wounding three members of the crew and forcing the remaining soldiers to abandon the weapon.
Almost immediately, another enemy machine pistol opened fire on him.
Returning accurate fire, Tanouye killed or wounded three more enemy soldiers.
As he continued advancing, exploding grenades severely wounded his left arm.
Ignoring the pain, he pressed forward and located an enemy trench.
Sweeping the position with his submachine gun, he wounded several defenders before exhausting his ammunition.
Refusing to stop, Tanouye crawled approximately twenty yards through enemy fire to obtain fresh ammunition from a fellow soldier.
Rejoining the attack, he spotted another enemy machine-pistol position pinning down his platoon.
Crawling into range, he threw a hand grenade that completely silenced the weapon.
Continuing the assault, he identified another enemy machine gun firing down the hillside and destroyed that position with accurate rifle fire.
Still advancing despite his wounds, Tanouye came under fire from yet another enemy machine-pistol nest positioned above him.
He immediately returned fire, wounding three of its occupants and eliminating the threat.
With the enemy defenses broken, his platoon successfully captured the crest of the hill.
Although suffering from a severe wound that required immediate medical attention, Tanouye first organized his men into defensive positions on the reverse slope to prepare for an expected counterattack.
Only after ensuring that the newly captured objective was secure did he finally permit himself to receive first aid and be evacuated.
Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye's extraordinary courage, determined leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
TANOUYE, TED T.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Place and date: Near Molino a Ventoabbto, Italy, 7 July 1944.
Citation:
Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 7 July 1944, near Molino a Ventoabbto, Italy.
Technical Sergeant Tanouye led his platoon in an attack to capture the crest of a strategically important hill that afforded little cover.
Observing an enemy machine-gun crew placing its gun in position to his left front, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crept forward a few yards and opened fire on the position, killing or wounding three and causing two others to disperse.
Immediately, an enemy machine pistol opened fire on him.
He returned the fire and killed or wounded three more enemy soldiers.
While advancing forward, Technical Sergeant Tanouye was subjected to grenade bursts, which severely wounded his left arm.
Sighting an enemy-held trench, he raked the position with fire from his submachine gun and wounded several of the enemy.
Running out of ammunition, he crawled twenty yards to obtain several clips from a comrade on his left flank.
Next, sighting an enemy machine pistol that had pinned down his men, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crawled forward a few yards and threw a hand grenade into the position, silencing the pistol.
He then located another enemy machine gun firing down the slope of the hill, opened fire on it, and silenced that position.
Drawing fire from a machine-pistol nest located above him, he opened fire on it and wounded three of its occupants.
Finally taking his objective, Technical Sergeant Tanouye organized a defensive position on the reverse slope of the hill before accepting first aid treatment and evacuation.
Technical Sergeant Tanouye's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
