Hiroshi H. Miyamura

Hiroshi H. Miyamura

Miyamura as a staff sergeant
Nickname(s) Hershey
Born (1925-10-06) October 6, 1925
Gallup, New Mexico
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1945 - 1953
Rank Staff Sergeant (highest held)
Honorary Sergeant Major of the 7th Regiment
Unit Company H, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment
100th Infantry Battalion
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor
Meritorious Service Medal
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Other work Automobile Mechanic and Service Station Owner

Hiroshi H. Miyamura (born October 6, 1925), also known as Hershey Miyamura, was a United States Army soldier. He received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Korean War.[1] While he was held as a prisoner of war, the award was classified as top secret.

Early life

Miyamura was born in Gallup, New Mexico to Japanese immigrant parents. He is a Nisei, which means that he is a second generation Japanese-American.[2]

Soldier

Miyamura joined the US Army in January 1945.[3]

Miyamura volunteered to be part of the all-Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion.[4] This army unit was mostly made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland.[5]

He 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. He endured as a prisoner of war for 28 months.[6]

Korean War

He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 24–25, 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea, while serving as a corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. His was the first Medal of Honor to be classified Top Secret. Miyamura was captured by the North Koreans and held as a prisoner of war immediately after the actions that led to his award. As Brigadier General 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 honorably discharged from the military shortly thereafter. His medal was presented to him by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in October 1953 at the White House.

Personal life

Miyamura, with his wife and granddaughter at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois

Miyamura is married to the former Terry Tsuchimori, who was held in the Japanese American internment camps during World War II. He has three children and four grandchildren, with one great-grandchild, Marisa, an officer in the United States Air Force. He has resided in Gallup, New Mexico, since his discharge from the army, where he established a career as an automobile mechanic and service station owner. Mr. Miyamura remains active in supporting fellow veterans including work with the Wounded Warrior Project. Mr. Miyamura is a Lifetime Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 2nd Battalion, 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.[1]

Nisei Week

As the 2014 Nisei Week Grand Marshal, Miyamura led the Grand Parade on August 10, 2014.[7][8]

Namesake

Miyamura is the namesake of an area in Gallup, New Mexico.[9] The Hiroshi H. Miyamura High School is named after him.[10]

An I-40 highway interchange is also named after him.[11] It is also called the Miyamura Overpass.[12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 US Army Center of Military History, "Medal of Honor Recipients, Korean War"; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  2. ↑ Japanese American Veterans Association, "The Nisei Legend of the Korean War"; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  3. ↑ U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), WWII Army Enlistment Record #39868194 (Miyamura, Hiroshi); retrieved 2012-12-24.
  4. ↑ Go for Broke National Education Center, "About Us, Veterans Honor Guard"; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  5. ↑ "100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry" at Global Security.org; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  6. ↑ Bartelt, Eric S. "Secret Hero Recounts his Unforgettable Korean War," Special to American Forces Press Service, April 24, 2001; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  7. ↑ "INTRODUCING THE 2014 NISEI WEEK GRAND MARSHAL AND PARADE MARSHAL". Rafu Shimpo. August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Celebrating Past and Future at Nisei Week - Little Tokyo Festivities Include a Parade, Ramen Festival and Traditional Dancing". LADTNEWS. August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014. line feed character in |title= at position 44 (help)
  9. ↑ City of Gallup Growth Management Master Plan, "IV. Land Use Element" (August 2009), p. IV-23 [PDF 23 of 60]; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  10. ↑ Gallup-McKinley County Schools, "High Schools"; Hiroshi H. Miyamura High School website; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  11. ↑ New Mexico Department of Transportation, Initial Evaluation of Alternatives, Allison Road Corridor and Interstate 40 Interchange Study, NMDOT Project Number SP-GA-5459(201)/SP-GA-5459(202), CN C7G801/C7G802 September 2010; "Table 4-6: I-40 Total Crashes by Mile Post," p. 4-32 [PDF 51 of 210]; retrieved 2012-12-24.
  12. ↑ City of Gallup, p. IV-45 [PDF 45 of 60]; retrieved 2012-12-24.

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