Yep, he earned it all right!
DANIEL K. INOUYE
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a snipers bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouyes 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.
Hooaah!
You can criticize his politics all you want, but don't criticize his service. I wouldn't want anyone doing that to my son!
I'm just posting the source for that paragraph:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_1942_nisei/inouye.html
Mr. Senator,
I respect your courage in combat and personal sacrafice. However, like you I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution as you did when I enlisted. That oath included the words "against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC".
I have fought communist in the fields and rice paddys of Viet Nam, and the DOMESTIC communist democratic party since I returned home and became old enough to VOTE.
You sir have FORGOTTEN your oath.
DANIEL K. INOUYE
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully ...
Sorry, but I cannot keep from thinking of a similar citation in The Manchurian Candidate. I know that Inouye's story and most similar stories are probably genuine; but they are still stories.
(I think there are one or two of these about Kerry.)
ML/NJ