Robert T. Kuroda

He silenced two machine guns under heavy fire near Bruyeres.

Born in Aiea, Hawaii, on 8 November 1922, Robert Toshio Kuroda was the son of Japanese immigrants. He graduated from Farrington High School and trained as an electrician. He enlisted in March 1943 and joined Company H, 2nd Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, he sailed overseas in May 1944. He fought in Italy before moving to France in September.

Robert Toshio Kuroda received a posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions near Bruyeres, France, on 20 October 1944. A staff sergeant in Company H, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, he moved through heavy fire to locate a concealed machine gun. He approached the position and defeated its crew with grenades and rifle fire. After finding an American officer dead, Kuroda took the officer’s submachine gun and destroyed a second emplacement. A sniper killed him as he turned toward other enemy soldiers. His actions broke resistance in the sector. His Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, presented to his family on 21 June 2000. He is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Staff Sergeant Robert T. Kuroda distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 20 October 1944, near Bruyeres, France. Leading his men in an advance to destroy snipers and machine gun nests, Staff Sergeant Kuroda encountered heavy fire from enemy soldiers occupying a heavily wooded slope. Unable to pinpoint the hostile machine gun, he boldly made his way through heavy fire to the crest of the ridge. Once he located the machine gun Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced to a point within ten yards of the nest and killed three enemy gunners with grenades. He then fired clip after clip of rifle ammunition, killing or wounding at least three of the enemy. As he expended the last of his ammunition, he observed that an American officer had been struck by a burst of fire from a hostile machine gun located on an adjacent hill. Rushing to the officer's assistance, he found that the officer had been killed. Picking up the officer's submachine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced through continuous fire toward a second machine gun emplacement and destroyed the position. As he turned to fire upon additional enemy soldiers, he was killed by a sniper. Staff Sergeant Kuroda's courageous actions and indomitable fighting spirit ensured the destruction of enemy resistance in the sector. Staff Sergeant Kuroda'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.