Allan M. Ohata

Crossed Heavy Fire to Protect a Comrade at Cerasuolo.

Allan Masaharu Ohata was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on 13 September 1918 to parents who had emigrated from Japan. He helped in the family's flower business and worked in a surplus parts store after high school. A member of the Hawaii National Guard's 298th Infantry, he was mobilized in 1940 and later served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, a unit of Japanese American soldiers.

During the Italian campaign, Sergeant Ohata served with Company B. On 29 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, he helped defend his platoon's exposed left flank. When a fellow soldier's automatic rifle was damaged, Ohata crossed heavy machine-gun fire to cover the man's withdrawal for a replacement weapon. Together they defeated repeated attacks and held the flank into the following day.

His actions initially earned the Distinguished Service Cross. Following the review of Asian American wartime awards, it was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2000. The full official citation reads:

“Sergeant Allan M. Ohata distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 and 30 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy. Sergeant Ohata, 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, 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, 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. Sergeant Ohata and the automatic rifleman held their position and killed 37 enemy soldiers. Both men then charged the three remaining soldiers and captured them. Later, 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.”

Ohata received a battlefield commission and eventually became a captain. After military service, he earned an engineering degree and worked for Northrop Aircraft and Lockheed Missile and Space Company in California. He died on 17 October 1977 and was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

On 21 June 2000, his brother Donald accepted his Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton at the White House. The presentation brought national recognition to courage that had gone without the military's highest award for more than half a century.