Hajiro, Barney F.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army,
Company I, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Place and date: Bruyeres and Biffontain,
France, 19, 22 & 29 October, 1944. Born: 16 September 1916, Punene,
Maui, Hawaii. Entered service at: Honolulu, Hawaii.
Citation:
Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19,
22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France.
Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in
the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house
200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong
point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or
wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost
security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed
themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding
one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the
vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill
referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under
fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting
camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly
destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private
Hajiro’s heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro’s
extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of
military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
