Arthur I. Okamura

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Arthur I. Okamura (US50001563), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Private First Class Okamura distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Muto, Korea, on 14 October 1951. On that date, Company A was engaged in an assault against well-fortified enemy hill positions. As the friendly force advanced, it was temporarily halted by a heavy volume of enemy machine-gun fire. During this period, Private Okamura discovered an enemy minefield directly in the path of the assaulting friendly troops. With a total disregard for his personal safety, he immediately exposed himself to the intense fire of the enemy and began to clear the area of mines and booby traps. Working with unrelenting determination, under the direct observation of the enemy, Private Okamura skillfully removed mine after mine. After four hours of courageous effort, the minefield was almost entirely cleared when one of the hostile booby traps detonated and mortally wounded him. Greatly inspired by the fearlessness of Private Okamura, his comrades renewed their assault and swept the hostile force from the hill, inflicting numerous casualties among them. The heroic actions of Private Okamura were directly responsible for saving the lives friendly troops.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 986 (December 12, 1951)