Private First Class Herbert K. Pililaau was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 17, 1951 near Pia-ri, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Pililaau was 22 years old.
Pililaau was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on March 26, 1952 — the Pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Army Frank C. Pace to his Father.
Pililaau was born on October 10, 1928 in Waianae, Honolulu County, Hawaii. His Medal of Honor is credited to Honolulu County, Hawaii. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. His medal is held by U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii, Fort DeRussy, Waikiki, HI.
Pililaau is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 20 credited to Hawaii.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Pfc. Pililaau, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. The enemy sent wave after wave of fanatical troops against his platoon which held a key terrain feature on "Heartbreak Ridge." Valiantly defending its position, the unit repulsed each attack until ammunition became practically exhausted and it was ordered to withdraw to a new position. Voluntarily remaining behind to cover the withdrawal, Pfc. Pililaau fired his automatic weapon into the ranks of the assailants, threw all his grenades, and, with ammunition exhausted, closed with the foe in hand-to-hand combat, courageously fighting with his trench knife and bare fists until finally overcome and mortally wounded. When the position was subsequently retaken, more than 40 enemy dead were counted in the area he had so valiantly defended. His heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 17, 1951).
- Age at death: 22
- Resting place: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Herbert K. Pililaau received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Waipahu High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Hawaii →
Timeline
- October 10, 1928Born in Waianae, Honolulu County, Hawaii
- September 17, 1951Act of valor — near Pia-ri, KoreaAge 22. Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division Killed in action.
- March 26, 1952Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe Pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Army Frank C. Pace to his Father
- Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the PacificHonolulu, Hawaii
Biography
Herbert Kailieha Pililaʻau (October 10, 1928 – September 17, 1951) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Korean War. A Native Hawaiian who was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, he was drafted into the military as a young man. Sent to Korea in early 1951, Pililaau participated as an automatic rifleman in the Battle of Bloody Ridge. During the subsequent Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, he voluntarily stayed behind to cover his unit's withdrawal in the face of an intense attack by North Korean forces.
From the Wikipedia article “Herbert K. Pililaau”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
