Technical Sergeant Yeiki Kobashigawa was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 2, 1944 in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate). Kobashigawa was 26 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 21, 2000, 56 years after the action — the White House - presented by President William J. Clinton.
Kobashigawa was born on September 28, 1917 in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii. His Medal of Honor is credited to Honolulu, Oahu, Honolulu County, Hawaii. Kobashigawa died on March 31, 2005 in Walanae, Hawaii, at the age of 87. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. His medal is held by National WWII Museum, New Orleans, IL.
Kobashigawa 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. Technical Sergeant Yeiki Kobashigawa distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 2 June 1944, in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy. During an attack, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa's platoon encounted strong enemy resistance from a series of machine guns providing supporting fire. Observing a machine gun nest 50 yards from his position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa crawled forward with one of his men, threw a grenade and then charged the enemy with his submachine gun while a fellow soldier provided covering fire. He killed one enemy soldier and captured two prisoners. Meanwhile, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa and his comrade were fired upon by another machine gun 50 yards ahead. Directing a squad to advance to his first position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa again moved forward with a fellow soldier to subdue the second machine gun nest. After throwing grenades into the position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa provided close supporting fire while a fellow soldier charged, capturing four prisoners. On the alert for other machine gun nests, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa discovered four more, and skillfully led a squad in neutralizing two of them. Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa'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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Yeiki Kobashigawa received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Hawaii →
Timeline
- September 28, 1917Born in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii
- June 2, 1944Act of valor — in the vicinity of Lanuvio, ItalyAge 26. Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)
- June 21, 2000Medal of Honor presentedThe White House - presented by President William J. Clinton
- March 31, 2005Died in Walanae, HawaiiAge 87.
- Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the PacificHonolulu, Hawaii
Biography
Yeiki Kobashigawa (Japanese: 小橋川 栄喜, September 28, 1917 – March 31, 2005) was a soldier in United States Army. He is best known for receiving the Medal of Honor in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Yeiki Kobashigawa”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
