List of Asian American Medal of Honor recipients

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.

Of the 3,476 Medals of Honor presented as of September 15, 2011, 30 have been awarded to Asian American recipients. The first Asian American to receive the Medal was José B. Nísperos. He received it for his actions in the Philippine–American War.

In 1996, a study determined that Asian Americans were discriminated against in the awarding of medals during World War II; consequently, 22 had their medals upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Except for those awarded during the 1996 discrimination study the most recent Asian American recipient of the Medal of Honor was Rodney Yano. He received it for his actions during the Vietnam War.

Philippine–American War and peacetime
The Philippine–American WarThis conflict is also known as the Philippine Insurrection. This name was historically the most commonly used in the U.S., but Filipinos and some American historians refer to these hostilities as the Philippine–American War, and, in 1999, the U.S. Library of Congress reclassified its references to use this term. was an armed military conflict between the United States and the First Philippine Republic. It was fought between 1899 and least 1902. The conflict started from a Filipino political struggle against U.S. occupation of the Philippines. Although the conflict was officially declared over on July 4, 1902,. American troops continued hostilities against remnants of the Philippine Army and other resistance groups until 1913. Some historians consider these unofficial extensions part of the war.

During this conflict one Asian American, José Nísperos, received the Medal of Honor. He got it for continuing to fight after being seriously wounded. He was the first person of Asian descent to receive it.

Telesforo Trinidad received a Medal of Honor after rescuing two men from a boiler explosion. He is the only Asian American sailor to receive the Medal during peacetime. and

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action UnitNotesArmyLapurap, BasilanPhilippine ScoutsAlthough seriously wounded, continued to fight until the enemy was repulsedNavyaboard Rescued two men after a boiler explosion despite being injured. Ensign Cary received a Medal of Honor for the same event.

World War II
World War II, or the Second World War, was a global military conflict. It was started from the joining of what had initially been two separate conflicts. The first began in Asia in 1937 as the Second Sino-Japanese War. The other began in Europe in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland. This global conflict split the majority of the world's nations into two opposing military alliances. One was called the Allies. The other was called the Axis powers. It involved the mobilization of over 100 million military personnel. Thi makes it the most widespread war in history. It placed the participants in a state of total war. That erased the distinction between civil and military resources. This resulted in the complete activation of a nation's economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities for the purposes of the war effort. Over 60 million people, the majority of them civilians, were killed. It is the deadliest conflict in human history. The Allies were victorious and the United States and Soviet Union emerged as the world's two leading superpowers.

During this conflict 464 United States military personnel received the Medal of Honor. 266 of them posthumously. By the end of the war only two Asian Americans had been awarded the Medal of Honor. One was to Sergeant Jose Calugas of the Philippine Scouts. The second was to Private Sadao S. Munemori of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. A 1996 study commissioned by the United States Army by order of Congress investigated racial discrimination in the awarding of medals during World War II. The Command History Office at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center at the Presidio of Monterey, California was tasked with identifying affected service-members and reviewing the records. After performing a review of the files, the study recommended that several Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War II should be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On June 21, 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded the Medal to 22 Asian Americans, 21 from the aforementioned study, in a ceremony at the White House.

Of the 24 Asian American awardees, 21 earned the Medal while serving with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team or its component unit, the 100th Infantry Battalion, making the 442nd the most decorated regiment-sized unit of the war. Only two Asian American officers received the Medal of Honor during World War II:In the United States military an enlisted rank is below a commissioned officer and warrant officer and in most cases perform specific jobs. The warrant officer ranks are between enlisted and commissioned officers and are usually highly skilled, single-track specialty officers. Although warrant officers can serve at varying levels and in many jobs the warrant officer's primary task as a leader is to serve as a technical expert, providing skills, guidance, and expertise to commanders and organizations in their particular field. Commissioned officers are typically the only persons, in a military environment, able to act as the commanding officer of a military unit. They generally receive training in leadership, managerial skills and general skills training in career field. Commissioned officers are typically assigned as leaders in a given field with a general title such as infantry officer. Captain Francis B. Wai who received it for drawing enemy fire to himself to reveal their positions and Second Lieutenant Daniel Inouye who received his medal for destroying two machine gun nests and continuing to fight after being wounded. Inouye became the first U.S. Representative for Hawaii and the first Japanese American congressman; he served as one of Hawaii's U.S. Senators from 1963 continuously until his death in 2012.

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action UnitNotesArmyCulis, Bataan Province, Philippines88-00-0088th Field Artillery Regiment, Philippine ScoutsUnder heavy fire, organized and led a gun crew after the original crew had been killed or woundedArmyArtena, Italy07-03-007th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry DivisionLed his unit by example and, although wounded, single-handedly attacked an enemy-held house75px|alt=A young man in his army dress uniform. He is sitting and staring forward towards the camera with and he is not smiling. He has a high brimmed hat.Army,,and near Bruyères and Biffontaine, eastern France442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamAssisted an attack on a house, captured a numerically superior force, and single-handedly silenced two machine gun nests75px|alt=The head and shoulders of a young man in his Army dress uniform. He is standing and staring forward towards the camera with his hat cocked to the side.ArmyCerasuolo, Italy00-00-100100th Infantry BattalionWith his squad leader, destroyed an enemy force despite having to run through heavy fire twice to retrieve new weapons75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a smiling young man wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket with chevrons on the upper sleeve over a shirt and tieArmyand Cerasuolo, Italy442nd Regimental Combat TeamLed an attack on strongly defended positions and single-handedly silenced three machine guns75px|alt=Head of a man with ruffled hair wearing a light colored shirt and tie.ArmyCerasuolo, Italy00-100-00100th Infantry BattalionSingle-handedly silenced a machine gun nest and an anti-aircraft gun75px|alt=An older man wearing a suit with an American and Hawaiian flag in the background. He is seated and is staring forward toward the camera.Armynear San Terenzo, Italy442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamSingle-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests, continued to fight and lead his platoon after being wounded75px|alt=Head of a man wearing a garrison cap and a tie and shirt with a crossed-rifles pin on the collar.Armynear Lanuvio, Italy00-00-100100th Infantry BattalionLed successful attacks on four machine gun positions75px|alt=Head of a man wearing a garrison cap and a light colored shirt and tie.Armynear Bruyeres, France442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamSingle-handedly destroyed two machine gun emplacements75px|alt=An older man in his military uniform with a hat on. There is a house and a tree in the background. He is looking forward at the camera.Armynear Castellina, Italy00-00-100100th Infantry BattalionSingle-handedly attacked two machine guns and, although wounded, captured a third75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a smiling young man wearing a garrison cap and a shirt and tie, the bottom of the tie tucked into the shirt between the buttons.Armynear Seravezza, Italy00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat TeamSingle-handedly attacked two machine guns before smothering a grenade blast with his body75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a young man looking directly at the camera and wearing a garrison cap and dark colored military jacket over a shirt and tie. The outer half of his left eyebrow is missing.Armynear Suvereto, Italy442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamEngaged an artillery gun alone, using a mortar75px|alt=Head of a man with a subdued smile wearing a garrison cap tilted over his left ear and a military jacket over a shirt and tie.Armynear Pisa, Italy00-00-100100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat TeamHeld off an enemy attack and continued to fight after being wounded75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a young man standing erect, wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket over a shirt and tie.Armynear La Torreto, Italy00-00-100100th Infantry BattalionSingle-handedly destroyed a machine gun nest and led attacks on two others75px|alt=Head of a smiling young man wearing a peaked cap with a round medallion on the front and a military jacket over a shirt and tie.Armynear Castellina, Italy442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamSilenced a machine gun nest and stayed behind to provide covering fire as his unit withdrew75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a smiling young man with dimples and round wire-framed glasses wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket over a shirt and tie.Armynear La Houssiere, France442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamSingle-handedly neutralized three machine gun positionsArmy –near Cerasuolo, Italy00-00-100100th Infantry BattalionTogether with a rifleman, held back an attack by a numerically superior force75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a young man with a bright smile and neatly combed hair wearing what appears to be a graduation gown over a shirt and tie.Army –and Foret Domaniale de Champ, near Biffontaine, France442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamRepeatedly exposed himself to intense fire to treat and evacuate wounded men75px|alt=Head and shoulders of an elderly man wearing a white button shirt with an emblem on the left breastArmyMount Belvedere, Italy442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamSingle-handedly silenced three machine gun positions75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a young man with a garrison cap tilted over his right ear wearing a scarf tied around his neck and a military jacket with three ribbon bars and a pin on the left breast. Written over the lower right of the photo are the words "Your pal always, Frank".Armynear Castellina, Italy442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamHeld an advance position alone, treated wounded men, and remained behind to provide covering fire as his unit withdrew75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a young man wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket with three chevrons on the upper left sleeve and a whistle hanging from a chain attached to his right shoulder. In the top left corner of the photo is written "To Mom & Dad" and in the lower right "your son! Kazuo".Armynear Pieve Di St. Luce, Italy442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamDrew fire onto himself so his platoon could reach cover, killed while rescuing a wounded man75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a smiling young man wearing a peaked cap and, over a shirt and tie, a military jacket with a round pin on each lapel.ArmyHill 617, near Biffontaine, France442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamCharged an enemy strongpoint, took command of his platoon and led it in defense of their position75px|alt=Head and torso of a serious faced man wearing a garrison cap and a military jacket with bright buttons and a patch and stripes on the upper sleeve.Armynear Molino A Ventoabbto, Italy442-00-00442nd Regimental Combat TeamAlthough wounded, single-handedly attacked a series of enemy positionsArmyLeyte, Philippine Islands34-00-0034th Infantry RegimentTook command of four assault waves and led by example, drew fire onto himself to reveal enemy positions

Korean War
The Korean War was an escalation of border clashes between two rival Korean regimes, each of which was supported by external powers; each tried to topple the other through political and guerilla tactics. In a narrow sense, some may refer to it as a civil war, though many other factors were at play. After failing to strengthen their cause in the free elections held in South Korea during May 1950 and the refusal of South Korea to hold new elections per North Korean demands, the communist North Korean Army moved south on June 25, 1950 to attempt to reunite the Korean peninsula, which had been formally divided since 1948. The conflict was then expanded by the United States and the Soviet Union's involvement as part of the larger Cold War. The main hostilities were during the period from June 25, 1950 until the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953. In the early stages of the war, President Harry Truman sometimes described the conflict under the aegis of the United Nations as a "police action" rather than use the term war.

One Asian American received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. Hiroshi H. Miyamura was captured by Chinese forces and held as a prisoner of war for 28 months. For his protection, news of his Medal of Honor award was classified until his release from captivity.

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action UnitNotes100px|alt=Young man in military uniform, standing with his arm resting on his raised knee.Army –Taejon-ni, Korea7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry DivisionFought in close quarters combat, stayed behind to provide covering fire while his unit withdrew

Vietnam War
The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, and in Vietnam as the American War, occurred from 1959 to April 30, 1975. The term Vietnam Conflict is often used to refer to events which took place between 1959 and April 30, 1975. The war was fought between the Communist-supported Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the United States supported Republic of Vietnam. It concluded with the defeat and failure of the United States foreign policy in Vietnam.The landmark series Vietnam: A Television History, first broadcast in 1983, is a special presentation of the award-winning PBS history series, American Experience. On April 30, 1975, the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon fell to the communist forces of North Vietnam, effectively ending the Vietnam War. Over 8.7 million U.S. forces participated in the Vietnam War; of whom slightly over 47,000 were killed in battle and almost 11,000 more died of non-battle causes.

During the Vietnam War three Asian Americans received the Medal of Honor, all of them posthumously. Elmelindo Smith, although wounded multiple times was killed while fighting with his unit. Terry Kawamura sacrificed his life by jumping on an explosive charge, saving the lives of two other soldiers, and Rodney Yano sacrificed his life by throwing burning ammunition off of a helicopter after a grenade exploded prematurely.

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Place of action UnitNotes75px|alt=Head and shoulders of a young man wearing a peaked cap, black thick-rimmed glasses, and a military jacket with a round pin on each lapel over a shirt and tie.ArmyCamp Radcliff, Republic of Vietnam173rd Engineer Company, 173rd Airborne BrigadeSmothered the blast of an explosive charge with his bodyArmyRepublic of Vietnam2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry DivisionContinued to organize his unit's defense after being repeatedly and mortally woundedArmynear Bien Hao, Republic of VietnamAir Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry RegimentGrabbed burning ammunition and threw it from the aircraft after being seriously wounded in a premature grenade explosion aboard a helicopter

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References

Category:Lists of Medal of Honor recipients