Shinyei Nakamine

Shinyei Nakamine | Medal of Honor Recipient

When machine-gun crossfire pinned down his platoon in Italy, Private Shinyei Nakamine did not wait for help. He crawled toward the enemy positions, charged their machine-gun nests and repeatedly returned to the attack to protect his fellow soldiers. His extraordinary courage near La Torreto on 2 June 1944 would cost him his life, but secure his place among America's most distinguished World War II heroes.

Born in Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii, Shinyei Nakamine was raised in a family of Okinawan ancestry. Before entering military service, he worked as an apprentice cook, joined the Civilian Conservation Corps on Molokai and later worked as a jackhammer operator. On 14 November 1941, he was inducted into the United States Army in Honolulu. After serving with the 298th Infantry Regiment in Hawaii, he became part of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), a distinguished unit composed largely of Japanese American soldiers. He trained at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and Camp Shelby, Mississippi, before deploying overseas to North Africa and subsequently Italy.

Nakamine's defining moment came near La Torreto, Italy, on 2 June 1944. When intense enemy machine-gun fire pinned down his platoon, he independently crawled toward a hostile position and charged its machine-gun nest, killing three enemy soldiers and capturing two. Later, he eliminated an enemy soldier threatening his platoon's flank. He then led an automatic rifle team against another machine-gun position, crawling within grenade range and forcing four enemy soldiers to surrender. While advancing toward a third machine-gun emplacement, Nakamine was struck by enemy fire and killed. He was 24 years old. His Medal of Honor citation recognized his extraordinary heroism, gallantry and devotion to duty above and beyond the call of duty.

For his extraordinary actions, Nakamine was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. Following a government review of wartime awards to Japanese American soldiers, his Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On 21 June 2000, President Bill Clinton presented the Medal of Honor posthumously to Nakamine's sister at a White House ceremony. His wartime record also includes the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Today, Shinyei Nakamine rests at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. His legacy remains an enduring part of the history of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Japanese American soldiers whose courage and sacrifice helped shape the history of the United States Army during World War II.