Yoshimi Richard Fujiwara

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Yoshimi Richard Fujiwara (30104334), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 20 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France. In attempting to flank an enemy strongpoint defended by three machine gun sections and other automatic weapons, the platoon in which Staff Sergeant Fujiwara was a squad leader was pinned down and virtually surrounded in a long narrow strip of undergrowth which offered concealment but no cover. Having engaged the enemy in a fire fight, the platoon found itself further menaced by machine gun and shell fire from an approaching force of two Mark IV tanks, supported by two columns of fifty enemy troops. Realizing that drastic action was necessary to avert the complete annihilation of the platoon, Sergeant Fujiwara climbed a slight knoll in the area and attempted with anti-tank grenades to halt the tanks’ progress. Finding that this fire was ineffective, he ordered the bazooka team to relinquish its weapon to him. Aware that the flash from the bazooka would reveal his position, he took deliberate aim at the leading tank and fired, scoring a partial hit. The tank, though temporarily slowed, continued its advance and raked his position with return fire from its machine gun. Racing against time and ignoring the enemy’s awareness of his location, he continued to expose himself to the ever approaching tanks until he succeeded, with his fifth attempt, in putting one out of action. Upon seeing this, the second Mark IV rapidly withdrew, followed by its accompanying troops. Sergeant Fujiwara’s fearlessness, cool-handed aggressiveness and consideration for the lives and safety of his comrades at the risk of his own life exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Yoshimi Richard Fujiwara (30104334), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, near La Roussiere, France, on 7 November 1944. When a well-concealed enemy machine gun fired at Sergeant Fujiwara from a distance of 60 yards, wounding him in the neck, he returned fire at the enemy to enable his platoon to spot the enemy position. Ordered to return to the rear for medical treatment, Sergeant Fujiwara, after receiving medical attention, immediately returned to his platoon to lead it in silencing the enemy strong point. Though the enemy troops returned fire with machine gun and rifle grenades he proceeded to crawl toward the enemy positions. Inspired by this display of fearless determination, his platoon closed in on the enemy troops, forcing the machine gun crew to surrender and the rest to withdraw.