Distinguished Service Cross Recipients on the Wall of Honor

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Harry Fumio Madokoro (ASN: 31916617), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 July 1944 near Molino A Ventoabbto, and on 16 and 17 July 1944 in Luciana, Italy. During the final assault on an enemy held hill, Private First Class Madokoro advanced ahead of his squad to a strategic position from which he could deliver effective automatic rifle fire. Partly exposed to enemy fire, he scanned his sector of the slope for targets. He leveled his automatic rifle on a nest of snipers, forcing them to disperse. Throughout the bitter fight he held his position, neutralizing another enemy nest and pinning down the enemy to enable his platoon to take the hill. Again at Luciana, Italy, Private First Class Madokoro occupied an advanced position and proceeded to fire on the enemy entrenched on the outskirts of the town. With heavy fire directed at him, he stubbornly held his position and provided covering fire when his squad was forced to withdraw because of a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage. The following day, when his squad became separated from the remainder of the company within the town, Private First Class Madokoro provided flank protection against determined enemy attacks. A group of enemy soldiers entered a nearby draw and threw hand grenades into the enemy position. On another occasion he left his position and silenced a machine pistol position with a grenade. Still later in the course of the battle, he approached an enemy machine gun nest and silenced it by firing from a kneeling position. By his stubborn determination, conspicuous devotion to duty and courage, Private First Class Madokoro inspired his squad in preventing the enemy's escape while his company closed in to occupy the town. Private First Class Madokoro's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

• Company: Company K

• Battalion: 3d Battalion

• Regiment: 442d Regimental Combat Team

• Division: 34th Infantry Division

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Itsumu Sasaoka (ASN: 30101548), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France. On 22 October 1944, near Belmont, France, Staff Sergeant Sasoka was assigned as a machine gunner on the last tank of a task force during the execution of a daring thrust through enemy-held terrain in an effort to relieve a friendly unit which had been surrounded and cut off by the enemy. As the task force advanced over a mountain trail, the enemy opened fire from well dug-in positions on both sides of the trail. Although seriously wounded by the first burst of hostile fire, Sergeant Sasoka, displaying a disdain for personal safety seldom surpassed, clung to his machine gun and directed a hail of bullets into the enemy positions in a last desperate attempt to prevent the other members of his platoon from being subjected to the lethal enemy crossfire. Finally, unable to hang on any longer due to his weakened condition, Sergeant Sasoka fell from the lurching tank. His magnificent courage and devotion to duty were in large measure responsible for the successful accomplishment of his platoon's mission and for saving the lives of many of his comrades. Staff Sergeant Sasaoka's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

• Company: Company A

• Battalion: 100th Infantry Battalion

• Regiment: 442d Regimental Combat Team

• Division: 36th Infantry Division

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Togo S. Sugiyama (ASN: 39163051), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 12 July 1944, near Pastina, Italy. To support a company attack, Sergeant Sugiyama emplaced his machine gun on the crest of a saddle between two hills so that his fire could cover the forward slope of both hills. Then, exposed to grazing small arms fire, he crawled along the ridge to a commanding position in order to direct fire. Locating an enemy machine gun and snipers on the left flank, Sergeant Sugiyama made his way along the reverse slope of the hill and reached a point directly opposite the enemy weapon. He killed two snipers with rifle fire and forced the machine gunners to withdraw. Returning to his observation post, he located a dugout occupied by two snipers who were firing on his machine gun position. Securing several grenades he led three riflemen in attacking the dugout to kill one German and force the other to surrender. Later, Sergeant Sugiyama fired tracer bullets to designate a German machine gun position, to enable nearby riflemen to neutralize the weapon. After reporting to nearby riflemen the presence of enemy troops located in a concrete house, Sergeant Sugiyama observed two German machine gun squads approaching the forward slope of the left hill. Crawling to a position of better visibility, and exposing himself to enemy fire, Sergeant Sugiyama fired three rifle grenades to kill five Germans and force the remainder to flee. Another machine gun across the valley opened fire on him, but withdrew before he could return fire. As he started to crawl back to his squad, Sergeant Sugiyama was fired upon by a concealed machine gun. Rising to return fire, Sergeant Sugiyama was killed instantly. By his fearlessness, combat skill and initiative, Sergeant Sugiyama inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy, and inspired his men by his intrepidity and self-sacrificing devotion to duty. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

• Company: Company H

• Battalion: 2d Battalion

• Regiment: 442d Regimental Combat Team

• Division: 34th Infantry Division

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Shigeo Joseph Takata (ASN: 30102426), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on the morning of 9 September 1943, west of Monte Milleto, Italy. Sergeant Takata personally led his squad in a flanking movement, forcing the withdrawal of enemy machine gunners and materially assisting in the attainment of the Battalion objective. Taking position in front of his men, he led them through intense artillery, mortar and machine gun fire to carry out his mission. He continuously and deliberately disregarded his own welfare in making personal reconnaissance to determine enemy gun positions. While so exposing himself, he was struck by an artillery shell and mortally wounded. In spite of his wounds he attempted to communicate with his platoon leader to inform him what he had learned of the enemy positions. Sergeant Takata's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

• Company: Company B

• Battalion: 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)

• Division: 34th Infantry Division

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Larry Tadayuki Tanimoto (30105535), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an acting Platoon Leader in Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 29 and 31 October 1944 and 3 November 1944, in the Vosges Mountains, France. Sergeant Tanimoto, while participating in an attack on "Suicide Hill", forced the surrender of two enemy gunners while making himself the sole target for another machine gun fifty yards away. He successfully led a heavily armed patrol in dispersing a numerically superior enemy mine-laying detail. While leading another patrol, an enemy machine gun wounded the scout and pinned the remaining men to the ground. Sergeant Tanimoto rose to his feet and killed two of the gun crew, giving his men an opportunity to outflank the nest. The heroic courage and loyalty displayed by Sergeant Tanimoto in the face of great danger, at the cost of his own life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

• Company: Company I

• Battalion: 3d Battalion

• Regiment: 442d Regimental Combat Team

• Division: 36th Infantry Division

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Gordon Kenshi Yamashiro (ASN: 30105540), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 28 October 1944 near Biffontaine, France. Sergeant Yamashiro's company was advancing against dominating enemy positions when it was suddenly pinned down by the crossfire of two machine guns supported by riflemen and grenadiers. Immediately sizing up the dangerous situation, he deployed his squad to cover his movements and advanced alone to espy the enemy positions. After determining the probable source of the enemy fire he advanced 100 yards, killed a sniper who fired at him and missed, then neutralized with BAR fire one of the gun positions by killing three of its crew members. Continuing his audacious movements under fire from the second gun position, he killed the two gunners, thus neutralizing the emplacement. While engaged in laying down a protective screen of fire for his company's subsequent advance Sergeant Yamashiro was fatally shot by an enemy sniper. Staff Sergeant Yamashiro's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

• Company: Company K

• Battalion: 3d Battalion

• Regiment: 442d Regimental Combat Team

• Division: 36th Infantry Division

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Matsuichi Yogi (ASN: 30104464), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 27 October 1944 to 29 October 1944, in the Vosges Mountains, France. Private First Class Yogi, during an enemy counterattack, daringly exposed himself and with his bazooka knocked out a German Mark IV tank. Disregarding enemy sniper fire, he eliminated one of two German bazookas with his own weapon and knocked out the other one with accurate rifle fire. On the second day, he scored a near hit on an enemy machine gun post which enabled his platoon to overrun the position. Private First Class Yogi's fighting spirit and intrepid gallantry above and beyond the call of duty, add living glory to the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. His personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

• Company: Company K

• Battalion: 3d Battalion

• Regiment: 442d Regimental Combat Team

• Division: 36th Infantry Division