*Otani, Kazuo
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant,
U.S. Army, Company G, 442nd Infantry. Place and date: Pieve di S. Luce, Italy, 15
July 1944. Born: Visalia, Calif. Entered service at: Rivers
Relocation Center, Ariz.
Citation:
Staff Sergeant Kazuo Otani distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 15
July 1944, near Pieve Di S. Luce, Italy. Advancing to attack a hill objective, Staff
Sergeant Otani’s platoon became pinned down in a wheat field by concentrated fire
from enemy machine gun and sniper positions. Realizing the danger confronting his platoon,
Staff Sergeant Otani left his cover and shot and killed a sniper who was firing with
deadly effect upon the platoon. Followed by a steady stream of machine gun bullets, Staff
Sergeant Otani then dashed across the open wheat field toward the foot of a cliff, and
directed his men to crawl to the cover of the cliff. When the movement of the platoon drew
heavy enemy fire, he dashed along the cliff toward the left flank, exposing himself to
enemy fire. By attracting the attention of the enemy, he enabled the men closest to the
cliff to reach cover. Organizing these men to guard against possible enemy counterattack,
Staff Sergeant Otani again made his way across the open field, shouting instructions to
the stranded men while continuing to draw enemy fire. Reaching the rear of the platoon
position, he took partial cover in a shallow ditch and directed covering fire for the men
who had begun to move forward. At this point, one of his men became seriously wounded.
Ordering his men to remain under cover, Staff Sergeant Otani crawled to the wounded
soldier who was lying on open ground in full view of the enemy. Dragging the wounded
soldier to a shallow ditch, Staff Sergeant Otani proceeded to render first aid treatment,
but was mortally wounded by machine gun fire. Staff Sergeant Otani’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.
