Gender

Male

Birth date

1917-11-28

Place of birth

Waialua, Oahu HI, USA

Inducted

1941-03-01, HI

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Infantry Battalion (original), Company A

Military specialty

Infantryman

Unit responsibility

Infantry

Personal responsibility

Automatic rifleman

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Naples-Foggia Campaign

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

One of 22 Asian Pacific Americans who were awarded the Medal of Honor at White House ceremonies on June 21, 2000. He had received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's highest medal for extraordinary heroism. His citation for the Medal of honor states:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to

PRIVATE SHIZUYA J. HAYASHI, UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

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 platoon. 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.

Additional information

'I still remember that day and the battle. We were cut off in a minefield. There were mines all around. I remember a sniper bullet passing by my neck...A lot of boys got hit in that minefield. It was a rough time.' (May 12, 2000, Honolulu Star Bulletin) -- Pvt. Shizuya Hayashi

Residence: Pearl City, HI