Kiyoshi K . Muranaga Kiyoshi K . Muranaga ( February 16 , 1922 – June 26 , 1944 ) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Early life . Muranaga was born in California to Japan ese immigrant parents . He is a " Nisei " , which means that he is a second generation Japanese - American . He was interned with his family at the Granada War Relocation Center in Colorado . Soldier . Muranaga joined the US Army in May 1943 . Muranaga volunteered to be part of the all - " Nisei " 442nd Regimental Combat Team . This army unit was mostly made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland . For his actions in June 1944 , he was posthumously awarded the Army ' s second - highest decoration , the Distinguished Service Cross . A 1990s review of service records for Asian Americans who received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II led to Muranaga ' s award being upgraded to the Medal of Honor . In a ceremony at the White House on June 21 , 2000 , his surviving family was presented with his Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton . Twenty - one other Asian Americans also received the medal during the ceremony , all but seven of them posthumously . Muranaga , aged 22 at his death , was buried in Evergreen Cemetery , Los Angeles , California . Muranaga ' s brothers were also soldiers . Kenichi ( 1924 – 2009 ) and Yoshio ( 1923 – 2008 ) also were in the 442nd . The youngest brother Tomi ( born 1935 - ) was a soldier in Korea . Medal of Honor citation . Muranaga ' s Medal of Honor recognized his conduct in frontline fighting in central Italy in 1944 . On June 26 , 1944 , Muranaga was serving as a private first class in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team . On that day , near Suvereto , Italy , he single - handedly manned his squad ' s mortar weapon in an attempt to destroy an enemy artillery gun . Muranaga was able to fire three shells before being killed by the enemy ' s return fire . The words of Muranaga ' s citation explain : Private First Class Muranaga ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : Private First Class Kiyoshi K . Muranaga distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 26 June 1944 , near Suvereto , Italy . Private First Class Muranaga ' s company encountered a strong enemy force in commanding positions and with superior firepower . An enemy 88mm self - propelled gun opened direct fire on the company , causing the men to disperse and seek cover . Private First Class Muranaga ' s mortar squad was ordered to action , but the terrain made it impossible to set up their weapons . The squad leader , realizing the vulnerability of the mortar position , moved his men away from the gun to positions of relative safety . Because of the heavy casualties being inflicted on his company , Private First Class Muranaga , who served as a gunner , attempted to neutralize the 88mm weapon alone . Voluntarily remaining at his gun position , Private First Class Muranaga manned the mortar himself and opened fire on the enemy gun at a range of approximately 400 yards . With his third round , he was able to correct his fire so that the shell landed directly in front of the enemy gun . Meanwhile , the enemy crew , immediately aware of the source of mortar fire , turned their 88mm weapon directly on Private First Class Muranaga ' s position . Before Private First Class Muranaga could fire a fourth round , an 88mm shell scored a direct hit on his position , killing him instantly . Because of the accuracy of Private First Class Muranaga ' s previous fire , the enemy soldiers decided not to risk further exposure and immediately abandoned their position . Private First Class Muranaga ' s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him , his unit , and the United States Army .