James Kazuo Okubo

A combat medic’s lifesaving courage in eastern France

James Kazuo Okubo served as a technician fifth grade and medic with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Near Biffontaine, France, on October 28 and 29, 1944, he treated wounded men under sustained enemy fire, crawling close to hostile positions to bring casualties back. On November 4, he crossed exposed ground to rescue a seriously wounded crewman from a burning tank.

Born in Anacortes, Washington, on May 30, 1920, Okubo died on January 29, 1967, and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. His heroism was recognized with a posthumous Medal of Honor presented in June 2000.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Technician Fifth Grade James K. Okubo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 28 and 29 October and 4 November 1944, in the Foret Domaniale de Champ, near Biffontaine, eastern France. On 28 October, under strong enemy fire coming from behind mine fields and roadblocks, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo, a medic, crawled 150 yards to within 40 yards of the enemy lines. Two grenades were thrown at him while he left his last covered position to carry back wounded comrades. Under constant barrages of enemy small arms and machine gun fire, he treated 17 men on 28 October and 8 more men on 29 October. On 4 November, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo ran 75 yards under grazing machine gun fire and, while exposed to hostile fire directed at him, evacuated and treated a seriously wounded crewman from a burning tank, who otherwise would have died. Technician Fifth Grade Okubo'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.