Corporal US Army, Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura    

Born: October 6, 1925, Gallup, NM 

Died: November 29, 2022, Phoenix, AZ

Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura was born in Gallup, New Mexico, on October 6th, 1925, to Yaichi Yoshi Miyamura and Tori Matsukawa. He was educated at Central School in Gallup and Gallup High School. At the age of 17, Miyamura tried to enlist in the military during World War II but was denied because he was classified as an “enemy alien” due to his Japanese background. Eventually, he was inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II on January 13, 1944. In 1951, Miyamura was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor.¹ 

 Medal of Honor Citation: 

Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked, threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machine-gun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men, unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat, killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machine gun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura’s indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions of military service.² 

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO 

Images & Documents

Notes:

1. Albuquerque Journal, 11 December 2022 
2. US Congressional Medal of Honor Society 
3. Photos by Albuquerque Journal, 11 December 2022, and Ancestry.com 

Oral History Interview 

https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1058035 

YouTube Interview 

Brutal Hand-to-Hand Combat to Save His Men & Receives Medal of Honor | Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura