Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

April 29th, 1944

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Sueyoshi Yamakawa (ASN: 30100468), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 22 January 1944, in the vicinity of Cassino, Italy. While detached from a daylight patrol on a special reconnaissance mission within enemy territory, Private First Class Yamakawa and a comrade were attacked from their rear by seven Germans armed with machine pistols. Surprising his comrade and quickly overpowering him, the Germans demanded that Private First Class Yamakawa surrender, emphasizing their demands by throwing a hand grenade at him. Realizing t hat he must return with the information he had obtained, Private First Class Yamakawa reciprocated by throwing two fragmentation grenades in their midst. Unprepared for this daring, the enemy scattered, and taking advantage of their confusion, Private First Class Yamakawa ran to a nearby irrigation ditch and dived into the swift-flowing water. Then swimming down the ditch about 300 yards, he succeeded in eluding them and returned to the patrol rendezvous with considerable information concerning enemy positions in the vicinity. Private First Class Yamakawa's courage in the face of grave danger was exemplary and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.

Headquarters, 34th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 28 (29 April 1944).