Hiroshi H . Miyamura Hiroshi H . Miyamura ( born October 6 , 1925 ) , also known as Hershey Miyamura , was a United States Army soldier . He is best known for receiving the Medal of Honor because of his actions in the Korean War . Early life . Miyamura was born in Gallup , New Mexico to Japan ese immigrant parents . He is a " Nisei " , which means that he is a second generation Japanese - American . Soldier . Miyamura joined the US Army in January 1945 . Miyamura volunteered to be part of the all - " Nisei " 100th Infantry Battalion . This army unit was mostly made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland . He 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 . He endured as a prisoner of war for 28 months . Korean War . He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 24 – 25 , 1951 , near Taejon - ni , Korea , while serving as a corporal in the 2nd Battalion , 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 . 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 August 20 , 1953 , he was repatriated to the United States and honorably discharged from the military shortly thereafter . His medal was presented to him by President Dwight D . Eisenhower in October 1953 at the White House . 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 , New Mexico , since his discharge from the army , where he established a career as an automobile mechanic and service station owner . Mr . Miyamura remains active in supporting fellow veterans including work with the Wounded Warrior Project . 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 , April 24 , and April 25 , 1951 Entered service at : Gallup , N . Mex . Birth : Gallup , New Mexico G . O . No . : 85 , November 4 , 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 . Namesake . Miyamura is the namesake of an area in Gallup , New Mexico . The Hiroshi H . Miyamura High School is named after him . An I - 40 highway interchange is also named after him . It is also called the Miyamura Overpass .