Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Army

Yeiki Kobashigawa

Details
  • Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company B,
    100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: June 2, 1944
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy
Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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 encounted 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.

Medal of Honor Recipient Yeiki Kobashigawa
Medal of Honor Recipient Yeiki Kobashigawa
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Honolulu, Oahu, Honolulu County, Hawaii
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: June 21, 2000

    The White House - presented by President William J. Clinton

  • Born: September 28, 1917, Hilo, Hawaii County, HI
  • Died: March 31, 2005, Walanae, HI, United States
  • Buried: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), Honolulu, HI, United States
 

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