Staff Sergeant Robert Toshi Kuroda, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on October 20, 1944 near Bruyeres, France during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company H, 442d Regimental Combat Team. Kuroda was 21 years old.
Kuroda was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 21, 2000, 55 years after the action — the White House - presented by President William J. Clinton to his brother Ronald Kuroda.
Kuroda was born on November 8, 1922 in Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii. His Medal of Honor is credited to Aiea, Honolulu County, Hawaii. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Kuroda is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 20 credited to Hawaii.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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 encounted heavy fire from enemy soldiers occupying a heavily wooded slope. Unable to pinpoint the hostile machine gun, he boldly made his way through heavy fire to the crest of the ridge. Once he located the machine gun Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced to a point within ten yards of the nest and killed three enemy gunners with grenades. He then fired clip after clip of rifle ammuntion, killing or wounding at least three of the enemy. As he expended the last of his ammuntion, 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 the officer's submachine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced through continuous fire toward a 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 ofmilitary service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States 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 (October 20, 1944).
- Age at death: 21
- Resting place: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Hawaii →
Timeline
- November 8, 1922Born in Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii
- October 20, 1944Act of valor — near Bruyeres, FranceAge 21. Company H, 442d Regimental Combat Team Killed in action.
- June 21, 2000Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe White House - presented by President William J. Clinton to his brother Ronald Kuroda
- Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the PacificHonolulu, Hawaii
Biography
Robert Toshio Kuroda (Japanese: 黒田 利男, November 8, 1922 – October 20, 1944) was a United States Army soldier. He was a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert T. Kuroda”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
