Herbert K. Pililaau
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| Herbert K. Pililaau | |
|---|---|
| October 10, 1928 – September 17, 1951 (aged 22) | |
 Medal of Honor recipient Herbert Pililaau |
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| Place of birth | Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii |
| Place of death | Near Pia-ri, Korea |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Herbert K. Pililaau (October 10, 1928 – September 17, 1951) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 17, 1951.
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[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Pia-ri, Korea, 17 September 1951
Entered service at: Oahu, T.H. Born: 10 October 1928, Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii
G.O. No.: 58, 18 June 1952.
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.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- "HERBERT K. PILILAAU" entry. Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War. Center of Military History (CMH), United States Army (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
