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Tanouye, Ted Takayuki

Date of birth:
November 14th, 1919 (Los Angeles, California)
Date of death:
September 6th, 1944 (Italy)
Buried on:
American War Graves Evergreen Cemetery
Nationality:
American

Biography

Wounded by an exploding land mine near San Mauro Cilento, Italy. He died five days later

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Technical Sergeant
Unit:
Company K, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 92nd Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
July 7th, 1944

Posthumously awarded. Upgraded to MoH
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Technical Sergeant
Unit:
Company K, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 92nd Infantry Division, U.S. Army
Awarded on:
June 21st, 2000
Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 7 July 1944, near Molino a Ventoabto, Italy. Technical Sergeant Tanouye led his platoon in an attack to capture the crest of a strategically important hill that afforded little cover. Observing an enemy machine gun crew placing its gun in position to his left front, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crept forward a few yards and opened fire on the position, killing or wounding three and causing two others to disperse. Immediately, an enemy machine pistol opened fire on him. He returned the fire and killed or wounded three more enemy soldiers. While advancing forward, Technical Sergeant Tanouye was subjected to grenade bursts, which severely wounded his left arm. Sighting an enemy-held trench, he raked the position with fire from his submachine gun and wounded several of the enemy. Running out of ammunition, he crawled 20 yards to obtain several clips from a comrade on his left flank. Next, sighting an enemy machine pistol that had pinned down his men, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crawled forward a few yards and threw a hand grenade into the position, silencing the pistol. He then located another enemy machine gun firing down the slope of the hill, opened fire on it, and silenced that position. Drawing fire from a machine pistol nest located above him, he opened fire on it and wounded three of its occupants. Finally taking his objective, Technical Sergeant Tanouye organized a defensive position on the reverse slope of the hill before accepting first aid treatment and evacuation. Technical Sergeant Tanouye’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.

Awarded posthumously
Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Posthumously awarded
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Posthumously awarded. With Oak Leaf Cluster.
Purple Heart
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Posthumously awarded
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Posthumously awarded
World War Two Victory Medal

Sources

Photo