Hickam honors World War II vets with new C-17

6/15/2006 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- The delivery of the seventh of eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs here June 14 brought 15th Airlift Wing and Pacific Air Forces Airmen together with World War II veterans.

The aircraft, christened "The Spirit of 'Go For Broke,'” is a tribute to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd fought in Europe in World War II, and was the most decorated unit in the history of the U.S. military for its size and length of service.

The unit was composed of Japanese-American soldiers intent on proving their loyalty to the U.S. Many of their families were interned while they fought during the war.

To the members of the 442nd, "go for broke" meant to be all-in, for better or worse. Ronald Oba, a former member of the 442nd, said it is also the perfect slogan for the theater’s newest airlifter.

“I think it’s a great honor to have a plane named after our regiment,” he said. “No matter what we do, everything is ‘Do the best you can,’ or ‘Go for broke.’”

The aircraft taxied into the ceremony with members of the World War II unit aboard. Photographers snapped photos of the veterans as they made their way from the jet to their seats accompanied by Hickam Airmen.

Brig. Gen. Peter S. Pawling, commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing at Hickam, compared the unit’s successes to those of the new jet.

“The C-17 has set more aviation records than any other airlifter in history,” General Pawling said, “and the 442nd earned more medals for valor than any U.S. military unit of its size during World War II.”

Hickam’s fleet of C-17 Globemaster IIIs allow Pacific Command, Pacific Air Forces, and 15th Airlift Wing leaders to respond to humanitarian efforts for theater allies as well as deliver military force where necessary.

It is the only wing outside the continental United States with C-17 aircraft assigned.

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to

Hajiro, Barney F.

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company I, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Place and date: Bruyeres and Biffontain, France, 19, 22 & 29 October, 1944. Born: 16 September 1916, Punene, Maui, Hawaii. Entered service at: Honolulu, Hawaii.

Citation:
Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro’s heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to

Hayashi, Shizuya

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate). Place and date: Cerasuolo, Italy, 29 November 1943. Born: 28 November 1917, Waialua, Oahu, Hawaii Entered service at: Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Citation:
Private Shizuya Hayashi distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy. During a flank assault on high ground held by the enemy, Private Hayashi rose alone in the face of grenade, rifle, and machine gun fire. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he charged and overtook an enemy machine gun position, killing seven men in the nest and two more as they fled. After his platoon advanced 200 yards from this point, an enemy antiaircraft gun opened fire on the men. Private Hayashi returned fire at the hostile position, killing nine of the enemy, taking four prisoners, and forcing the remainder of the force to withdraw from the hill. Private Hayashi’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.

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