Medal of Honor: Yeiki Kobashigawa - World War II - June 2, 1944

Name: Yeiki Kobashigawa
Rank: Technical Sergeant
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 Lanuvio, Italy

Summary of Action

On 2 June 1944, Technical Sergeant Yeiki Kobashigawa displayed extraordinary heroism during combat operations near Lanuvio, Italy.

As his platoon advanced against German defenses, it was suddenly pinned down by a series of well-concealed machine-gun positions that swept the battlefield with deadly fire.

Recognizing that the attack could not continue while the enemy guns remained active, Kobashigawa took immediate action.

Spotting the nearest machine-gun nest approximately fifty yards away, he crawled forward with another soldier under enemy fire.

Reaching striking distance, he threw a grenade into the position and then charged forward with his submachine gun.

The attack killed one German soldier and forced two others to surrender.

Almost immediately, another machine gun farther ahead opened fire on the two Americans.

After directing a squad to occupy the first captured position, Kobashigawa once again moved forward with a fellow soldier to eliminate the new threat.

Using grenades to suppress the enemy position, he provided close supporting fire while his comrade stormed the emplacement and captured four German prisoners.

Rather than stopping after destroying two machine-gun positions, Kobashigawa continued searching for additional threats.

Alertly scanning the battlefield, he located four more enemy machine-gun nests that threatened the advance.

Leading a squad forward through hostile fire, he personally directed the attack that neutralized two additional positions and broke the enemy resistance in the sector.

His courage, leadership, and aggressive action enabled the advance to continue and contributed significantly to the success of the operation.

Medal of Honor Citation

KOBASHIGAWA, YEIKI

Technical Sergeant Yeiki Kobashigawa distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 2 June 1944, in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy. During an attack, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa’s platoon encountered strong enemy resistance from a series of machine guns providing supporting fire. Observing a machine gun nest 50 yards from his position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa crawled forward with one of his men, threw a grenade and then charged the enemy with his submachine gun while a fellow soldier provided covering fire. He killed one enemy soldier and captured two prisoners. Meanwhile, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa and his comrade were fired upon by another machine gun 50 yards ahead. Directing a squad to advance to his first position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa again moved forward with a fellow soldier to subdue the second machine gun nest. After throwing grenades into the position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa provided close supporting fire while a fellow soldier charged, capturing four prisoners. On the alert for other machine gun nests, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa discovered four more, and skillfully led a squad in neutralizing two of them. Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa’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.