William Kenzo Nakamura

Two machine guns fell silent as his platoon escaped in Italy

William Kenzo Nakamura, a Japanese American born in Seattle on 21 January 1922, served as a private first class in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After his family was incarcerated at the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho, he entered the U.S. Army in 1943. His unit fought in Italy with the 34th Infantry Division.

On 4 July 1944, near Castellina, Nakamura crawled toward a concealed German machine gun that had pinned down his platoon. He threw four grenades, silenced the weapon and enabled the advance. Later, as his company withdrew for a mortar barrage, he stayed behind to cover his comrades. When another machine gun stopped the withdrawal, he fired on its crew until the platoon reached safety without further casualties. Nakamura was killed in that stand.

Initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously, he received an upgrade to the Medal of Honor. President Bill Clinton presented the medal to Nakamura's sister, June Oshima, at the White House on 21 June 2000. He rests at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park in Seattle.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Private First Class William K. Nakamura distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 4 July 1944, near Castellina, Italy. During a fierce firefight, Private First Class Nakamura's platoon became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a concealed position. On his own initiative, Private First Class Nakamura crawled 20 yards toward the hostile nest with fire from the enemy machine gun barely missing him. Reaching a point 15 yards from the position, he quickly raised himself to a kneeling position and threw four hand grenades, killing or wounding a least three of the enemy soldiers. The enemy weapon silenced, Private First Class Nakamura crawled back to his platoon, which was able to continue its advance as a result of his couraageous action. Later, his company was ordered to withdraw from the crest of the hill so that a mortar barrage could be placed on the ridge. On his own initiative, Private First Class Nakamura remained in position to cover his comrades' withdrawl. While moving toward the safety of a wooded draw, his platoon became pinned down by deadly machine gun fire. Crawling to a point from which he could fire on the enemy position, Private First Class Nakamura quickly and accurately fired his weapon to pin down the enemy machine gunners. His platoon was then able to withdraw to safety without further casualties. Private First Class Nakamura was killed during this heroic stand. Private First Class Nakamura'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.