Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Headquarters Company, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

June 18th, 1944

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Irving M. Akahoshi (30102373), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 May 1944, near Cisterna, Italy. Private First Class Akahoshi voluntarily accompanied an officer on a patrol to secure information of enemy units and dispositions in a vital sector of the front. All previous patrols of combat strength had attempted without success to take prisoners in this well defended sector. Private First Class Akahoshi and the officer infiltrated approximately eight hundred yards through the enemy line to outposts. While observing enemy dispositions, he observed a strong enemy outpost situated in a small ditch. To reach this outpost, Private First Class Akahoshi and the officer, in broad daylight, crawled two hundred fifty yards across an open field, exposed to enemy observation from the German main line of resistance on the command slope to their rear. Arriving at a point near the outpost, they surprised two Germans armed with machine pistols who were acting as security. After aiding in the capture of these two prisoners, Private First Class Akahoshi retraced his perilous route and successfully by-passed two enemy listening posts to arrive at his own lines. Private First Class Akahoshi's daring accomplishment provided vital information and identification of enemy units in a critical sector of the front. His 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.

Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 102 (18 June 1944).