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1st Sgt. Rodney James Tadashi Yano
25 years old from Kealakekua Kona, Hawaii
Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
December 13, 1943 - January 1, 1969
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Sergeant Rodney James Tadashi Yano (ASN: 10116085), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 January 1969. Sergeant First Class Yano was performing the duties of crew chief aboard the troop's command-and-control helicopter during action against enemy forces entrenched in dense jungle. From an exposed position in the face of intense small arms and anti-aircraft fire he delivered suppressive fire upon the enemy forces and marked their positions with smoke and white phosphorous grenades, thus enabling his troop commander to direct accurate and effective artillery fire against the hostile emplacements. A grenade, exploding prematurely, covered him with burning phosphorous, and left him severely wounded. Flaming fragments within the helicopter caused supplies and ammunition to detonate. Dense white smoke filled the aircraft, obscuring the pilot's vision and causing him to lose control. Although having the use of only one arm and being partially blinded by the initial explosion, Sergeant First Class Yano completely disregarded his welfare and began hurling blazing ammunition from the helicopter. In so doing he inflicted additional wounds upon himself, yet he persisted until the danger was past. Sergeant First Class Yano's indomitable courage and profound concern for his comrades averted loss of life and additional injury to the rest of the crew. By his conspicuous gallantry at the cost of his life, in the highest traditions of the military service, Sergeant First Class Yano has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
You can read more about 1st Sgt. Yano
here.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look
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Petty Officer 3rd Class John Larimer was 27 years old and served in the United States Navy. He was killed protecting his girlfriend from the gunfire.
Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress was 29 years old and served in the United States Air Force Reserves. He was killed protecting a friend who went with him to the movie.
Jonathan T. Blunk was a Navy veteran who left the service in 2009. He served three tours in the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea between 2004 and 2009 and was a certified firefighter and emergency medical technician. He died shielding his girlfriend from the gunfire.
