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Kobashigawa, Yeiki "Lefty"

Date of birth:
September 28th, 1917 (Hilo/Hawaii, United States)
Date of death:
March 31st, 2005
Buried on:
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Service number:
30101851
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Technical Sergeant
Unit:
Company F, 100th Infantry Battalion, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
June 21st, 2000
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 encountered 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 - Army (MoH)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Arrowhead device, 3 campaign stars
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Sources

Photo