*Okubo, James K.
Rank and organization: Technician Fifth
Grade, U.S. Army, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Place and date: near Biffontaine,
France, 28-29 October and 4 November, 1944. Entered service at: Bellingham, Wash.
Citation:
Technician Fifth Grade James K. Okubo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in
action on 28 and 29 October and 4 November 1944, in the Foret Domaniale de Champ, near
Biffontaine, eastern France. On 28 October, under strong enemy fire coming from behind
mine fields and roadblocks, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo, a medic, crawled 150 yards to
within 40 yards of the enemy lines. Two grenades were thrown at him while he left his last
covered position to carry back wounded comrades. Under constant barrages of enemy small
arms and machine gun fire, he treated 17 men on 28 October and 8 more men on 29 October.
On 4 November, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo ran 75 yards under grazing machine gun fire
and, while exposed to hostile fire directed at him, evacuated and treated a seriously
wounded crewman from a burning tank, who otherwise would have died. Technician Fifth Grade
James K. Okubo’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.
