RHY
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 181
- Location
- Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii and the nation lost Daniel K. Inouye last week Monday, December 17, 2012 at the age of 88 years. In World War II he was a Captain in the 442 Regimental Combat Team where he earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In engagement in Italy with German soldiers leading his platoon as a Second Lt., Inouye lost his right arm to a German rifle gernade. His citation for the Medal of Honor reads as follows:
"Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’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."
Daniel K. Inouye served in the Hawaii Territorial Legislature from 1953 to 1959. He was elected to the United States Congress House of Representatives in 1959 as Hawaii's first congressman as a State. In 1962, Inouye was elected to the United States Senate and served until his death. He was the President Pro Tem of the Senate and was third in line of succession to the Presidency. At his memorial service yesterday at the National Memorial Cementary of the Pacific, President Obama and his wife were in attendance, along with 20 US Senators and Congressmen. US Senator John Tester of Montana played "Taps" for the ceremony. Of most importance, the few surviving members of the 442nd RCT/100th Battalion were accorded a special platform to view the proceedings. Senator Inouye was accorded a 19 gun canon salute upon entering the cemetary and a fly over of the missing man formation by Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 Raptors.
"Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’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."
Daniel K. Inouye served in the Hawaii Territorial Legislature from 1953 to 1959. He was elected to the United States Congress House of Representatives in 1959 as Hawaii's first congressman as a State. In 1962, Inouye was elected to the United States Senate and served until his death. He was the President Pro Tem of the Senate and was third in line of succession to the Presidency. At his memorial service yesterday at the National Memorial Cementary of the Pacific, President Obama and his wife were in attendance, along with 20 US Senators and Congressmen. US Senator John Tester of Montana played "Taps" for the ceremony. Of most importance, the few surviving members of the 442nd RCT/100th Battalion were accorded a special platform to view the proceedings. Senator Inouye was accorded a 19 gun canon salute upon entering the cemetary and a fly over of the missing man formation by Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 Raptors.
