Medal of Honor Winner Barney J. Hajiro

HAJIRO, BARNEY J.

Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, Eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as security guard on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944 in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, he initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill", by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly succeeded in destroying two machine gun nests and killing two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro’s heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.

Seemingly ordinary men men meet extraordinary circumstances and learn they are not so ordinary after all. It's a familiar story with Medal of Honor winners.

Barney Hajiro will be 90 years old this September.

(Thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for the above information. )