Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Army

Masato Nakae

Details
  • Rank: Private
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion,
    442d Regimental Combat Team
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: August 19, 1944
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Pisa, Italy
Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Private Masato Nakae distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19 August 1944, near Pisa, Italy. When his submachine gun was damaged by a shell fragment during a fierce attack by a superior enemy force, Privte Nakae quickly picked up his wounded comrade's M-1 rifle and fired rifle grenades at the steadily advancing enemy. As the hostile force continued to close in on his position, Private Nakae threw six grenades and forced them to withdraw. During a concentrated enemy mortar barrage that preceded the next assault by the enemy force, a mortar shell fragment seriously wounded Private Nakae. Despite his injury, he refused to surrended his position and continued firing at the advancing enemy. By inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy force, he finally succeeded in breaking up the attack and caused the enemy to withdraw. Private Nakae'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.

Medal of Honor Recipient Masato Nakae
Medal of Honor Recipient Masato Nakae
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Honolulu, Oahu, Honolulu County, Hawaii
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: June 21, 2000

    The White House - presented by President William J. Clinton to his daughter Mrs. Anna Kuroda

  • Born: December 20, 1917, Haena, Kauai County, HI
  • Died: September 4, 1998, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, United States
  • Buried: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) (MH) (U-O-1446), Honolulu, HI, United States
 

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