Herbert K. Pililaau

He stayed behind on Heartbreak Ridge to cover the withdrawal

Herbert K. Pililaau earned the Medal of Honor for his final stand during the Korean War. Born in Waianae, Hawaii, on October 10, 1928, he served as a private first class in Company C, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

He graduated from Waipahu High School in 1948. After being drafted into the Army, he completed basic training at Fort Shafter and reached Korea in March 1951.

On September 17, 1951, near Pia-ri, his platoon defended a key position on Heartbreak Ridge against repeated attacks. With ammunition nearly exhausted, the soldiers were ordered to withdraw. Pililaau volunteered to remain and cover them. He fired his automatic weapon and used his grenades, then continued fighting at close quarters after his ammunition ran out. He was mortally wounded.

Secretary of the Army Frank Pace presented Pililaau’s posthumous Medal of Honor to his father at the Pentagon on March 26, 1952. He was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. His award commemorates the life he gave to cover his comrades’ withdrawal.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Pfc. Pililaau, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. The enemy sent wave after wave of fanatical troops against his platoon which held a key terrain feature on "Heartbreak Ridge." Valiantly defending its position, the unit repulsed each attack until ammunition became practically exhausted and it was ordered to withdraw to a new position. Voluntarily remaining behind to cover the withdrawal, Pfc. Pililaau fired his automatic weapon into the ranks of the assailants, threw all his grenades, and, with ammunition exhausted, closed with the foe in hand-to-hand combat, courageously fighting with his trench knife and bare fists until finally overcome and mortally wounded. When the position was subsequently retaken, more than 40 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so valiantly defended. His heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.