FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Hiroshi Miyamura ~ 25 January 2016

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Hiroshi Miyamura

Info from here.

           

Hiroshi H. Miyamura (born in Gallup, New Mexico on October 6, 1925) is a Medal of Honor recipient awarded for his actions during the Korean War on 24 and April 25, 1951 near Taejon-ni, Korea while serving in the United States Army, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.

World War II

Hiroshi Miyamura was drafted into the Army in 1944, near the end of World War II. He served briefly with the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a famous Japanese-American unit, and was discharged from the active army shortly after Japan surrendered. Following the war, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, and was recalled to active duty following the start of the Korean War.

Korean War

His was the first Medal of Honor which was classified Top Secret by the military because Corporal Miyamura was captured by the North Koreans and held as a prisoner of war immediately after the heroic actions that led to the award. It was feared that if his captors knew of his status, he would be singled out for torture and death. As Brig. Gen. Ralph Osborne explained to Miyamura and a group of reporters upon notifying them of his medal, "If the Reds knew what he had done to a good number of their soldiers just before he was taken prisoner, they might have taken revenge on this young man. He might not have come back." Following his release on August 20, 1953, he was repatriated to the United States and was honorably discharged from the army shortly thereafter. His medal was presented to him by President Eisenhower in October 1953 at the White House.

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Taejon-ni, Korea, April 24, and April 25, 1951

Entered service at: Gallup, N. Mex. Birth: Gallup, New Mexico

G.O. No.: 85, November 4, 1953.

Citation:

Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machinegun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service

 

Hiroshi is married to the former Terry Tsuchimori, who was held in the Japanese American Internment camps in the United States during World War II. He has three children and four grandchildren, with one grandchild, Marisa, an officer in the United States Air Force. He has resided in Gallup since his discharge from the army, where he pursued his career as an automobile mechanic and service station owner.

On November 12, 2007, Gallup McKinley County Public Schools named their former Gallup Junior High school after Hiroshi, Miyamura High School. There was a dinner at the school that evening. Several students came to the school on the tenth of November, 2007 to decorate, and fix up the school, including painting and cleaning. Hiroshi Miyamura was there on the twelfth at the naming of the school and the dinner.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[E.G.C.]

It’s going OK here. Bo and I had some great times at the lake this weekend. Saw some people fishing. Looking forward to the spring and warmer weather.

[SandRat]

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

This reminds me: I was recently at Fort Douglas, Utah and got talking to the lady running the gift shop. There is one single Japanese soldier buried in the veteran’s cemetery there. She tried to find the story behind this and could never find anything. Weird, I’d like to find out about that. My theory is that he had some sort of expertise and was willing to help the US war effort, but we may never know.