Bunjerie B. Ochitani

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Bunjerie B. Ochitani (39916573), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 17 July 1944, in the vicinity of Luciana, Italy. When an enemy machine gun emplaced in a house was holding up the company’s advance, Private First Class Ochitani voluntarily advanced with two comrades through continuous sniper, mortar and artillery fire and destroyed the gun. Another machine gun position was discovered nearby, and without hesitation, Private First Class Ochitani and his comrades advanced and killed the two Germans manning the gun by the use of their hand grenades and rifles. The courage and determination displayed by Private First Class Ochitani was a key factor in the Battalion’s successful attack.