Frank H . Ono Frank H . Ono ( June 5 , 1923 – May 6 , 1980 ) 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 . Ono was born in Colorado . His parents were immigrants from Japan . He was a " Nisei " , which means that he was a second generation Japanese - American . Soldier . Ono joined the US Army in September 1943 . He 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 . During a battle on July 4 , 1944 , near Castellina , Italy , Ono advanced ahead of his unit and single - handedly defended his position against an enemy counter - attack . He then braved intense hostile fire to aid two wounded comrades and , when it became necessary to retreat , voluntarily covered his unit ' s withdrawal . For his actions during the battle , he was awarded the Army ' s second - highest decoration , the Distinguished Service Cross . Ono left the Army while still a private first class . He died at age 56 and was buried in Highland Cemetery , North Judson , Indiana . A 1990s review of service records for Asian Americans who received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II led to Ono ' 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 . Medal of Honor citation . Private First Class Ono ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : Private First Class Frank H . Ono distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 4 July 1944 , near Castellina , Italy . In attacking a heavily defended hill , Private First Class Ono ' s squad was caught in a hail of formidable fire from the well - entrenched enemy . Private First Class Ono opened fire with his automatic rifle and silenced one machine gun 300 hundred yards to the right front . Advancing through incessant fire , he killed a sniper with another burst of fire , and while his squad leader reorganized the rest of the platoon in the rear , he alone defended the critical position . His weapon was then wrenched from his grasp by a burst of enemy machine pistol fire as enemy troops attempted to close in on him . Hurling hand grenades , Private First Class Ono forced the enemy to abandon the attempt , resolutely defending the newly won ground until the rest of the platoon moved forward . Taking a wounded comrade ' s rifle , Private First Class Ono again joined in the assault . After killing two more enemy soldiers , he boldly ran through withering automatic , small arms , and mortar fire to render first aid to his platoon leader and a seriously wounded rifleman . In danger of being encircled , the platoon was ordered to withdraw . Volunteering to cover the platoon , Private First Class Ono occupied virtually unprotected positions near the crest of the hill , engaging an enemy machine gun emplaced on an adjoining ridge and exchanging fire with snipers armed with machine pistols . Completely disregarding his own safety , he made himself the constant target of concentrated enemy fire until the platoon reached the comparative safety of a draw . He then descended the hill in stages , firing his rifle , until he rejoined the platoon . Private First Class Ono ' 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 .