*Tanouye, Ted T.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant,
U.S. Army, Company K, 442nd Infantry. Place and date: Molina A Ventoabbto, Italy
7 July 1944. Born: Torrance, Calif. Entered service at: Fort
MacArthur, Calif.
Citation:
Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action
on 7 July 1944, near Molino A Ventoabbto, Italy. Technical Sergeant Tanouye led his
platoon in an attack to capture the crest of a strategically important hill that afforded
little cover. Observing an enemy machine gun crew placing its gun in position to his left
front, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crept forward a few yards and opened fire on the
position, killing or wounding three and causing two others to disperse. Immediately, an
enemy machine pistol opened fire on him. He returned the fire and killed or wounded three
more enemy soldiers. While advancing forward, Technical Sergeant Tanouye was subjected to
grenade bursts, which severely wounded his left arm. Sighting an enemy-held trench, he
raked the position with fire from his submachine gun and wounded several of the enemy.
Running out of ammunition, he crawled 20 yards to obtain several clips from a comrade on
his left flank. Next, sighting an enemy machine pistol that had pinned down his men,
Technical Sergeant Tanouye crawled forward a few yards and threw a hand grenade into the
position, silencing the pistol. He then located another enemy machine gun firing down the
slope of the hill, opened fire on it, and silenced that position. Drawing fire from a
machine pistol nest located above him, he opened fire on it and wounded three of its
occupants. Finally taking his objective, Technical Sergeant Tanouye organized a defensive
position on the reverse slope of the hill before accepting first aid treatment and
evacuation. Technical Sergeant Tanouye’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.
