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World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pvt. Shizuya Hayashi, US Army 100th Infantry Battalion
On November 29, 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy Private Shizuya Hayashi took part in an assault on enemy forces occupying a hill. In the face of concentrated fire from grenades, rifles and machineguns, Hayashi rose and charged the hill while firing his automatic rifle from the hip. He single-handedly overran a machinegun position, killing seven. He killed two more fleeing enemy soldiers. After his platoon had caught up and advanced 200 more yards, they were met by fire from an antiaircraft gun. Private Hayashi returned highly effective fire, killing nine, taking four prisoners and forcing the rest to leave the hill.
CITATION: Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate). Place and date: Cerasuolo, Italy, 29 November 1943. Born: 28 November 1917, Waialua, Oahu, Hawaii Entered service at: Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Private Shizuya Hayashi distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy. During a flank assault on high ground held by the enemy, Private Hayashi rose alone in the face of grenade, rifle, and machine gun fire. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he charged and overtook an enemy machine gun position, killing seven men in the nest and two more as they fled. After his platoon advanced 200 yards from this point, an enemy antiaircraft gun opened fire on the men. Private Hayashi returned fire at the hostile position, killing nine of the enemy, taking four prisoners, and forcing the remainder of the force to withdraw from the hill. Private Hayashis 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.
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