Japanese American Military Experience Database
Kazuo Otani(KIA 7/15/1944)
One of 22 Asian Pacific Americans awarded the Medal of Honor at White House ceremonies on June 21, 2000. He previously was decorated, posthumously, with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's highest medal for extraordinary heroism. His citation for the Medal of Honor reads as follows:
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
STAFF SERGEANT KAZUO OTANI, UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 15 July 1944, near Pieve Di S. Luce, Italy. Advancing to attack a hill objective, Staff Sergeant Otani's platoon became pinned down in a wheat field by concentrated fire from enemy machine gun and sniper positions. Realizing the danger confronting his platoon, Staff Sergeant Otani left his cover and shot and killed a sniper who was firing with deadly effect upon the platoon. Followed by a steady stream of machine gun bullets, Staff Sergeant Otani then dashed across the open wheat field toward the foot of a cliff, and directed his men to crawl to the cover of the cliff. When the movement of the platoon drew heavy enemy fire, he dashed along the cliff toward the left flank, exposing himself to enemy fire. By attracting the attention of the enemy, he enabled the men closest to the cliff to reach cover. Organizing these men to guard against possible enemy counterattack, Staff Sergeant Otani again made his way across the open field, shouting instructions to the stranded men while continuing to draw enemy fire. Reaching the rear of the platoon position, he took partial cover in a shallow ditch and directed covering fire for the men who had begun to move forward. At this point, one of his men became seriously wounded. Ordering his men to remain under cover, Staff Sergeant Otani crawled to the wounded soldier who was lying on open ground in full view of the enemy. Dragging the wounded soldier to a shallow ditch, Staff Sergeant Otani proceeded to render first aid treatment, but was mortally wounded by machine gun fire.
Staff Sergeant Otani'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.
His Issei parents, Mr. and Mrs. Yaichi Otani received the DSC medal at an impressive ceremony at Gila River Relocation Camp on March 8, 1945, from the commandant of the Luke Army Air Force Base near Phoenix. WRA Project Director L. H. Bennett said that 916 sons were in the Army from families at Gila River; 12 KIA, 44 wounded. (PC, 3/3/45.) S/Sgt. Kazuo Otani's DSC was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the Nation's highest honor for extraordinary heroism, on June 21, 2000 at White House ceremonies. (See above.)
'He was glad to go, in fact. He figured he'd fight for his country...He was kind of quiet. He never talked back. He just went over and did his job and proved his loyalty, like all Japanese Americans.'(August 2, 2000, Hokubei Mainichi)
--Mr. Ted Otani, brother of Kazuo