Kiyoshi K. Muranaga

He manned a mortar alone to hit an enemy self-propelled gun.

Kiyoshi K. Muranaga was born at Gardena, California, on 16 February 1922. He was one of a large family of children of Japanese immigrant parents. During the Second World War, the family was removed from California and confined at the Granada relocation camp, also known as Amache, in Colorado.

Muranaga entered the United States Army in May 1943 and volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He trained with the Japanese American formation before going to Italy as a private first class in Company F.

On 26 June 1944 near Suvereto, the company encountered strong enemy positions, including an 88-millimetre self-propelled gun. The gun fired directly on the troops and forced them to disperse. Muranaga's mortar squad was ordered into action, but the ground left its position dangerously exposed.

When the others moved to cover, he stayed at the mortar and attempted to silence the enemy weapon. He fired alone and corrected his aim until his third round landed immediately in front of the gun. Its crew turned their weapon onto him. Before he could fire again, a direct hit killed him. The accuracy of his fire nevertheless caused the enemy crew to abandon its position.

He died aged twenty-two on the regiment's first day in action in Italy. His gallantry initially brought the Distinguished Service Cross. He was eventually buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles.

A review of Asian American gallantry awards led to the upgrading of his decoration to the Medal of Honor. His surviving family received it from President Bill Clinton on 21 June 2000, more than fifty years after the fighting at Suvereto.

Official citation

Private First Class Kiyoshi K. Muranaga distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 26 June 1944, near Suvereto, Italy. Private First Class Muranaga's company encountered a strong enemy force in commanding positions and with superior firepower. An enemy 88mm self-propelled gun opened direct fire on the company, causing the men to disperse and seek cover. Private First Class Muranaga's mortar squad was ordered to action, but the terrain made it impossible to set up their weapons. The squad leader, realizing the vulnerability of the mortar position, moved his men away from the gun to positions of relative safety. Because of the heavy casualties being inflicted on his company, Private First Class Muranaga, who served as a gunner, attempted to neutralize the 88mm weapon alone. Voluntarily remaining at his gun position, Private First Class Muranaga manned the mortar himself and opened fire on the enemy gun at a range of approximately 400 yards. With his third round, he was able to correct his fire so that the shell landed directly in front of the enemy gun. Meanwhile, the enemy crew, immediately aware of the source of mortar fire, turned their 88mm weapon directly on Private First Class Muranaga's position. Before Private First Class Muranaga could fire a fourth round, an 88mm shell scored a direct hit on his position, killing him instantly. Because of the accuracy of Private First Class Muranaga's previous fire, the enemy soldiers decided not to risk further exposure and immediately abandoned their position. Private First Class Muranaga'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.