Frank Harry Ono

On 4 July 1944, as German machine guns swept a hillside in Italy, one American infantryman refused to abandon his comrades. Private First Class Frank Harry Ono silenced enemy positions, rescued wounded soldiers and voluntarily exposed himself to concentrated fire so his platoon could escape. His courage would eventually earn him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration for valor.

Born in Delta, Colorado, in June 1923, Frank H. Ono volunteered for the United States Army in September 1943. He joined Company G, 2nd Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the celebrated Japanese American fighting formation whose motto was "Go for Broke." Serving as an infantryman and Browning Automatic Rifle operator, he took part in the Allied campaign in Italy and served with the regiment during World War II.

His defining moment came near Castellina, Italy, on 4 July 1944. During an attack on a heavily defended hill, Ono's squad came under intense enemy fire. He opened fire with his automatic rifle, silenced a German machine gun approximately 300 yards away and killed an enemy sniper. While his comrades reorganized, Ono remained alone in an exposed position, defending newly captured ground.

When enemy fire knocked his weapon away, he continued fighting with hand grenades, forcing advancing German soldiers to withdraw. Taking a wounded comrade's rifle, he rejoined the assault. He then rushed through machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire to administer first aid to his wounded platoon leader and another soldier.

As the platoon faced encirclement and received orders to withdraw, Ono made his most extraordinary decision. Volunteering to remain behind, he occupied exposed positions near the hillcrest and engaged enemy machine gunners and snipers. He deliberately drew hostile fire toward himself until his comrades reached relative safety. Only then did he descend the hill, fighting his way back to the platoon.

Ono originally received the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism. Following a congressional review of awards to Asian American World War II veterans, his decoration was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. His other recorded military honours included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. The Japanese American National Museum additionally records two oak leaf clusters on his Purple Heart, indicating three awards. The available records do not establish an independent valor citation for his Bronze Star Medal.

Frank Harry Ono survived the war but died on 6 May 1980. On 21 June 2000, President Bill Clinton presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his widow, Ann, at the White House.

Buried at Highland Cemetery in North Judson, Indiana, Ono remains a powerful symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of Japanese American soldiers in World War II. His legacy is defined not only by the enemies he defeated, but by the lives he fought to protect. When withdrawal offered safety, Frank H. Ono chose to remain under fire so others could survive.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Private First Class Frank H. Ono distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 4 July 1944, near Castellina, Italy. In attacking a heavily defended hill, Private First Class Ono's squad was caught in a hail of formidable fire from the well-entrenched enemy. Private First Class Ono opened fire with his automatic rifle and silenced one machine gun 300 yards to the right front. Advancing through incessant fire, he killed a sniper with another burst of fire, and while his squad leader reorganized the rest of the platoon in the rear, he alone defended the critical position. His weapon was then wrenched from his grasp by a burst of enemy machine pistol fire as enemy troops attempted to close in on him. Hurling hand grenades, Private First Class Ono force the enemy to abandon the attempt, resolutely defending the newly won ground until the rest of the platoon moved forward. Taking a wounded comrade's rifle, Private First Class Ono again joined the assault. After killing two more enemy soldiers, he boldly ran through withering automatic, small arms, and mortar fire to render first aid to his platoon leader and a seriously wounded rifleman. In danger of being encircled, the platoon was ordered to withdraw. Volunteering to cover the platoon, Private First Class Ono occupied virtually unprotected positions near the crest of the hill, engaging an enemy machine gun emplaced on an adjoining ridge and exchanging fire with snipers firing armed with machine pistols. Completely disregarding his own safety, he made himself the constant target of concentrated enemy fire until the platoon reached the comparative safety of a draw. He then descended the hill in stages, firing his rifle, until he rejoined the platoon. Private First Class Ono'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.