PERSONALIA
 
Name:  Inouye, Daniel Ken "Dan"
Date of birth: September 7th, 1924 (Honolulu/Hawaii, United States)
Nationality:  American
     
MEDAL OF HONOR - ARMY (MOH)
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant (Second Lieutenant)
Unit: Company E, 442nd Regimental Combat Teamattached to the 92nd Infantry Division "Buffalo Soldiers", U.S. Army
Awarded on: June 21st, 2000
Action: Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’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.
 
     
BRONZE STAR (BSM)
Unit: Company E, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
 
     
PURPLE HEART
Unit: Company E, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
 
 
 
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Picture source:   - U.S. Federal Government photo
Information source(s):   - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
- Asahina, R., Just Americans – How Japanese Won a War at Home and Abroad – The Story of the 100th Battalion/442d Regimental Combat Team in World War II, Gotham Books, New York, USA, 2006
- Goodman, P., A Fragment of Victory in Italy – The 92nd Infantry Division in World War II, The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 1993
- Congressional Medal of Honor Society
- wikipedia.org
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