Nisei WWII hero
to get French award

Barney Hajiro, one of 21 Medal of Honor recipients from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, will receive another honor next month for his part in the liberation of France in World War II.

French Consul General Fredic Desagneaux is expected to present Hajiro, 88, with his country's Legion of Honor with the rank of "chevalier" Oct. 14 on deck of the French surveillance frigate Prairial during its port call here. The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Pier 9 at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

The medal is one of the most prestigious French awards and the country's highest civilian honor. It was first instituted by Emperor Napoleon I on May 19, 1802. The award consists of five classes. In descending order of distinction, they are: grand cross; grand officer; commander; officer; and chevalier (knight). The order is conferred upon men and women, either French citizens or foreigners, for outstanding achievements in military or civil life.

Hajiro initially was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on Oct. 19, 22 and 29, 1944, near Bruyeres and Biffontaine. In one mission, Hajiro initiated an attack up a wooded slope known as "Suicide Hill" by running forward 100 yards under fire, drawing fire and single-handedly destroying two machine gun nests and killing German snipers. His Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2000. Hajiro is the only nisei (second-generation Japanese American) to receive the British Military Medal from England, in a special presentation aboard the Canadian destroyer Cayuga in 1948.

Kaneohe Marines from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, recently practiced recovering downed aircrews in the hanger bay of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex in the North Persian Gulf, according to a Marine Corps release. In Marine jargon, the mission is called "Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel Team" and was supervised by Staff Sgt. Jamie H. Tsang, assistant TRAP Force commander. "This type of training creates muscle memory so they (the Marines) won't freeze up in combat," said Tsang, who is from Lanesboro, Mass.

The team also conducted magazine exchange drills to ensure that team members learn to alternate reloading while maintaining fire on a possible enemy. The exchange drill is also designed to help the Marines practice change magazines rapidly.

The TRAP team is part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and is embarked aboard the three ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, USS Essex, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Juneau.