Hiroshi H. "Hershey" Miyamura (born October 6, 1925) is a Japanese-American retired United States Army soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in the Korean War. While he was held as a prisoner of war, the award was classified as top secret.
Video Hiroshi H. Miyamura
Early life
Miyamura was born in Gallup, New Mexico to Japanese immigrant parents, making him a Nisei, a second-generation Japanese American. His parents had moved there in 1923 and bought a 24-hour diner. He was the fourth of nine children. His mother died when he was 11.
He got the nickname "Hershey" because one of his teachers could not pronounce his first name.
Maps Hiroshi H. Miyamura
Military service
World War II
When the United States entered World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans due to fears that some would turn out to be traitors. However, for communities outside the sensitive coastal "military zone", this was not mandatory, and local authorities could decide what they wanted to do. In Gallup, the Japanese-American residents were left alone.
Miyamura joined the US Army in January 1945. He volunteered to be part of the all-Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment where he trained as a machine gunner. This army unit was mostly made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland. He was discharged from the Army shortly after Japan surrendered. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Korean War
Miyamura was recalled to active duty following the start of the Korean War, arriving in North Korea in November 1950. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 24-25, 1951, near Taejon-ni (Daejeon-ni) in Yeoncheon County, Korea, while serving as a corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. During a night attack by the Chinese, he saw that his squad could not hold much longer, so he ordered his men to retreat. He remained behind to cover their withdrawal.
Miyamura was captured immediately after the actions that led to his award. As he and other prisoners of war (POWs) were marched away, he helped his wounded friend Joe Annello keep moving, but the North Koreans threatened to shoot him if he did not leave Annello behind. Straggling POWs were routinely killed. Miyamura refused, but Annello himself convinced Miyamura to put him down. Fortunately, Annello survived the war and later visited Miyamura in Gallup. The POWs were forced to march 300 miles (480 km) over five weeks with little food.
His was the first Medal of Honor to be classified Top Secret. 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."
Miyamura was held for 28 months. Following his release on August 20, 1953, he was informed that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor and promoted to sergeant. 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.
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.
Personal life
Miyamura married Terry Tsuchimori, who was incarcerated in a Japanese American internment camp 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. Miyamura remains active in supporting fellow veterans including work with the Wounded Warrior Project. Miyamura is a Lifetime Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1. On Memorial day 2018, his story was portrayed during the National Memorial Day Concert at the Mall in Washington, DC.
Nisei Week
As the 2014 Nisei Week Grand Marshal, Miyamura led the Grand Parade on August 10, 2014.
Namesakes
In his hometown, Gallup, New Mexico, an area is named Miyamura in his honor and there is a high school named Hiroshi H. Miyamura High School. The Miyamura Overpass, an interchange on I-40, is also named after him.
See also
- Battle of Yultong
- List of living Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients
References
External links
Media related to Hiroshi H. Miyamura at Wikimedia Commons
- "Home of Heroes profile". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- "Hiroshi Miyamura and his hometown had a lot in common. They believed in America". Retrieved July 4, 2017.
Source of article : Wikipedia
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