Rank Insignia Previous Honoree ID Next Honoree ID


   
honoree image
First Name: Hiroshi

Last Name: Miyamura

Birthplace: Gallup, NM, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: H.



Date of Birth: 06 October 1925



Rank: Staff Sergeant

Years Served: 1945 - 1953
Hiroshi H. Miyamura
'Hershey'

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)

Biography:

Hiroshi H. "Hershey" Miyamura
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Hiroshi H. "Hershey" Miyamura was born on 6 October 1925 in Gallup, NM.

World War II

Miyamura was drafted into the Army in 1944, near the end of World War II. He served briefly with the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a famous Japanese-American unit, and was discharged from the active army shortly after Japan surrendered. Following the war, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, and was recalled to active duty following the start of the Korean War.

Korean War

Miyamura was awarded the medal for his actions on 24-25 April 1951, near Taejon-ni, Korea, while serving as a Corporal in the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. His was the first Medal of Honor to be classified Top Secret. Miyamura was captured by the North Koreans and held as a prisoner of war immediately after the actions that led to his award; it was feared that if his captors knew of his status, he would be singled out for ill treatment. As Brigadier General Ralph Osborne explained to Miyamura and a group of reporters upon notifying them of his medal, "If the Reds knew what he had done to a good number of their soldiers just before he was taken prisoner, they might have taken revenge on this young man. He might not have come back." Following his release on 20 August 1953, he was repatriated to the United States and honorably discharged from the military shortly thereafter.

Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Taejon-ni, Korea, 24-25 April 1951

G.O. No.: 85, 4 November 1953

Citation:

Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machinegun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service.

Miyamura's medal was presented to him by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in October 1953 at the White House.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Medal of Honor
Meritorious Service Medal
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Honors

On 12 November 2007, Gallup McKinley County Public Schools named their former Gallup Junior High school, Miyamura High School, after Hiroshi. There was a dinner at the school that evening. Several students came to the school on 10 November 2007 to decorate and fix up the school, including painting and cleaning. Hiroshi Miyamura was there on 12 November at the naming of the school and the dinner.

Personal Life

Miyamura is married to the former Terry Tsuchimori, who was held in the Japanese-American internment camps during World War II. He has three children and four grandchildren, with one grandchild, Marisa, an officer in the United States Air Force. He has resided in Gallup, NM, since his discharge from the army, where he established a career as an automobile mechanic and service station owner.



Honoree ID: 1207   Created by: MHOH

Ribbons


Medals


Badges


Honoree Photos

honoree imagehonoree imagehonoree image

honoree imagehonoree image

honoree image

Remembrances


Tributes