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World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pfc. Barney F. Hajiro, US Army 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Private Barney Hajiro conducted himself heroically during three separate engagements on October 19, 22 and 29, 1944 near Bruyeres and Biffontaine in eastern France.
On October 19 Hajiro was performing sentry duty atop an embankment when he jumped into action to help allied forces attacking a house 200 yards away. He deliberately drew enemy fire to expose their stronghold, then directed fire toward it. He then went to the aid of a unit to his right by using his rifle to knock out two enemy snipers.
On October 22 Hajiro and another soldier ambushed a heavily-armed 18-man enemy patrol. They killed two, wounded one and took the rest prisoners.
On October 29 in a woods near Biffontaine, Hajiro ran 100 yards up a hill known as Suicide Hill under fire. He pulled about 10 yards ahead of his platoon, thereby drawing fire from camouflaged machinegun nests. He single-handedly charged them and destroyed two machinegun nests and killed two snipers.
CITATION: Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company I, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Place and date: Bruyeres and Biffontain, France, 19, 22 & 29 October, 1944. Born: 16 September 1916, Punene, Maui, Hawaii. Entered service at: Honolulu, Hawaii. Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiros heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiros extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
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