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In the Military
Gregg K. Kakesako
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Medal of Honor exhibit features locals
Hawaii Medal of Honor recipients Barney Hajiro, Shizuya Hayashi, Allan Kellogg Jr. and U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye will be featured in a traveling photo exhibit that will open June 29 at the Hawaii State Art Museum. Also attending opening will be Medal of Honor recipients Tommy Norris and Ken Stumpf, who earned his medal while serving with the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam.
The "Visions of Valor" exhibit is sponsored by TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which administers the military's health care plan, TRICARE, and by the Hawaii Medical Service Association. It will be on display through July 5. Admission is free.
Hajiro, while an Army private assigned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in France during World War II, ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed enemy patrol and initiated an attack on "Suicide Hill." He ran through enemy fire and fearlessly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers single-handedly.
Hayashi, an Army private assigned to the 100th Battalion in Italy during World War II, rose in the face of heavy fire and, shooting from the hip, charged and overtook an enemy machine gun position. A n anti-aircraft gun position opened fire. He returned fire, killing nine, taking four prisoners, and forced the enemy to withdraw.
Kellogg, while a Marine gunnery sergeant in 1970 in Vietnam, was ambushed at night and a grenade glanced off his chest. He forced it into the mud, threw his body over it and absorbed its blast. Injured in the chest, right shoulder and arm, he continued directing his men.
Inouye, an Army first lieutenant serving in Italy in World War II in the 442nd RCT, crawled up a slope, neutralized two machine gun emplacements and continued fighting although wounded until a grenade shattered his right arm.
Norris, a Navy lieutenant serving in Vietnam in 1972, led patrols deep into heavily controlled enemy territory to rescue two downed pilots. After saving one, over the next two days he continued his rescue efforts by disguising himself as a fisherman on a sampan.
Stumpf, serving in Vietnam in 1967, received the medal as an Army sergeant in 25th Infantry Division, which has earned more Medals of Honor than any other military organization. Encountering a well-fortified enemy bunker complex and exposing himself to machine gun fire, he rescued three men and organized an assault against several bunkers.
Only 111 of 3,460 Medal of Honor recipients are still living today. Visit www.cmohs.org to read the recipients' citations.
Moving Up
Schofield Barracks
» Lt. Col. Richard Wilson has assumed command of 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, relieving Lt. Col. Bryan Rudacille.
» Col. Stephen Grove has assumed command of the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, relieving Col. James Phelps.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other sources by reporter
Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin. He can be reached by phone at 294-4075 or by e-mail at
gkakesako@starbulletin.com.