Francis B. Wai

He rallied troops on a beach by advancing through heavy fire

Francis Brown Wai was born in Honolulu on 14 April 1917 to a Chinese father and a Native Hawaiian mother. An accomplished athlete, he attended Sacramento Junior College and UCLA before joining the Hawaiian National Guard in 1940. Commissioned the following year, he became a captain in the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Combat in New Guinea established his reputation as a leader who remained calm under fire.

On 20 October 1944 he landed at Red Beach, Leyte, with the fifth wave of the invasion. Earlier waves had lost their officers and were pinned down by concealed Japanese positions. Although a headquarters officer, Wai took command of the scattered troops and led them forward.

He repeatedly exposed himself to draw fire and reveal enemy weapons, enabling his men to locate and attack them. He was killed while leading an assault on the last remaining position. His leadership helped break the resistance behind the beachhead.

Initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Wai received the Medal of Honor after a review of discrimination in wartime awards. President Bill Clinton presented it to his family in June 2000. He rests in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Francis B. Wai distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 20 October 1944, in Leyte, Philippine Islands. Captain Wai landed at Red Beach, Leyte, in the face of accurate, concentrated enemy fire from gun positions advantageously located in a palm grove bounded by submerged rice paddies. Finding the first four waves of American soldiers leaderless, disorganized, and pinned down on the open beach, he immediately assumed command. Issuing clear and concise orders, and disregarding heavy machine gun and rifle fire, he began to move inland through the rice paddies without cover. The men, inspired by his cool demeanor and heroic example, rose from their positions and followed him. During the advance, Captain Wai repeatedly determined the locations of enemy strong points by deliberately exposing himself to draw their fire. In leading an assault upon the last remaining Japanese pillbox in the area, he was killed by its occupants. Captain Wai’s courageous aggressive leadership inspired the men, even after his death, to advance and destroy the enemy. His intrepid and determined efforts were largely responsible for the rapidity with which the initial beachhead was secured. Captain Wai’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.