Gender

Male

Birth date

1918-9-13

Place of birth

Honolulu HI, U.S.A.

Enlistment type

Draftee

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

442nd Regimental Combat Team, Officer

Military specialty

Infantryman

Stationed

Camp Shelby, MS
Italy

Unit responsibility

Infantry

Personal responsibility

Squad leader

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Naples-Foggia Campaign

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

One of 22 Asian Pacific Americans awarded the Medal of Honor at White House ceremonies June 21, 2000. He had previously received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's highest medal for extraordinary heroism. The 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

SERGEANT ALLAN M. OHATA, UNITED STATES ARMY

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

Sergeant Allan M. Ohata distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 and 30 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy. Staff Sergeant Ohata (then Sergeant), his squad leader, and three men were ordered to protect his platoon's left flank against an attacking enemy force of 40 men, armed with machine guns, machine pistols, and rifles. He posted one of his men, an automatic rifleman, on the extreme left, 15 yards from his own position. Taking his position, Staff Sergeant Ohata delivered effective fire against the advancing enemy. The man to his left called for assistance when his automatic rifle was shot and damaged. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Staff Sergeant Ohata left his position and advanced 15 yards through heavy machine gun fire. Reaching his comrade's position, he immediately fired upon the enemy, killing 10 enemy soldiers and successfully covering his comrade's withdrawal to replace his damaged weapon. Staff Sergeant Ohata and the automatic rifleman held their position and killed 37 enemy soldiers. Then both men charged the three remaining soldiers and captured them. Later, Staff Sergeant Ohata and the automatic rifleman stopped another attacking force of 14, killing four and wounding three while the others fled. The following day he and the automatic rifleman held their flank with grim determination and staved off all attacks.

Staff Sergeant Ohata'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 know he held a hill by himself and a lot of people died except him. He said the enemy came from both sides, and (at) one point he came from one side and the enemy soldier came from the other end. The only reason he lived was because he saw the guy first.' (June 20, 2000, Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
--Mr. Donald Ohata, brother of Allan