*Kuroda, Robert T.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant,
U.S. Army, Company H, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Place and date: Bruyeres,
France, 20 October 1944. Birth: 8 November 1922, Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii.
Entered service at: Honolulu, Hawaii.
Citation:
Staff Sergeant Robert T. Kuroda distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action,
on 20 October 1944, near Bruyeres, France. Leading his men in an advance to destroy
snipers and machine gun nests, Staff Sergeant Kuroda encountered heavy fire from enemy
soldiers occupying a heavily wooded slope. Unable to pinpoint the hostile machine gun, he
boldly made his way through heavy fire to the crest of the ridge. Once he located the
machine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced to a point within ten yards of the nest and
killed three enemy gunners with grenades. He then fired clip after clip of rifle
ammunition, killing or wounding at least three of the enemy. As he expended the last of
his ammunition, he observed that an American officer had been struck by a burst of fire
from a hostile machine gun located on an adjacent hill. Rushing to the officer's
assistance, he found that the officer had been killed. Picking up the officer’s
submachine gun, Staff Sergeant Kuroda advanced through continuous fire toward a second
machine gun emplacement and destroyed the position. As he turned to fire upon additional
enemy soldiers, he was killed by a sniper. Staff Sergeant Kuroda’s courageous actions
and indomitable fighting spirit ensured the destruction of enemy resistance in the sector.
Staff Sergeant Kuroda'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.
