12-135 Garand Picture of the Day 442

[Mark in Rochester]

By May 1945, the 442d RCT had become the most highly decorated US military unit of its size.

"Along with the 100th Infantry Battalion," Dr. Kane explained, "they accumulated over 18,000 individual decorations for bravery, including 20 Congressional Medals of Honor; 52 Distinguished Service Crosses; 9,500 Purple Hearts with many soldiers earning multiple awards; and seven Presidential Unit Citations."



STAFF SERGEANT ROBERT T. KURODA

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 enemy fire from enemy soldiers occupying a heavily wooded slope. Unable to pinpoint the hostile machine gun, he boldly made his way through heavy fire toward the crest of the ridge. Once locating the machine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced to a point within 10 yards of the nest and killed three enemy gunners with grenades. He then fired clip after clip of rifle ammunition upon the enemy, 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 his submachine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced through continuous fire toward the 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.

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