Two Japanese American Korean War Veterans ride on Army float in 2013 Rose Bowl Parade
Hershey Miyamura, Medal of Honor recipient of the Medal of Honor, and Min Tonai, President of the Japanese American Korean War Veterans, were selected by the US Army to ride on the US Army float to honor veterans of the Korean War. The Army sponsored the Korean War float to recognize the men and women who served in the Korean War, frequently referred as the “forgotten war”.
Miyamura, who was born in Gallup, NM, joined the Army near the end of WW II and was a replacement for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He arrived at the Italian war front at the end of the war and served with the 442nd in the Occupation of Italy. He returned to the United States with 442nd RCT on July 15, 1946 when it was reviewed by President Harry Truman. When he was discharged soon after the parade he was placed in the reserve. He was recalled to active duty when the Korean War broke out. He served in the Korean War with distinction and was captured by the Chinese Communists and imprisoned as a prisoner of war for 28 months. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor over and beyond the call of duty he was not informed of the award until he was freed. His MOH citation is presented below.
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Pictures taken at the 2013 Rose Parade by Bacon Sakatani
The Medal of Honor citation for Hershey Miyamura is presented here:
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
MIYAMURA, HIROSHI H.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Taejon-ni, Korea, 24 and 25 April 1951.
Entered service at: Gallup, N. Mex.
Birth: Gallup, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 85, 4 November 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.