James K. Okubo Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR (Posthumously) to

TECHNICIAN FIFTH CLASS

JAMES K. OKUBO

ARMY

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

Technician Fifth Grade James K. Okubo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 28 and 29 October and 4 November 1944, in the Foret Domaniale de Champ, near Biffontaine, eastern France. On 28 October, under strong enemy fire coming from behind mine fields and roadblocks, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo, a medic, crawled 150 yards to within 40 yards of the enemy lines. Two grenades were thrown at him while he left his last covered position to carry back wounded comrades. Under constant barrages of enemy small arms and machine gun fire, he treated 17 men on 28 October and 8 more men on 29 October. On 4 November, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo ran 75 yards under grazing machine gun fire and, while exposed to hostile fire directed at him, evacuated and treated a seriously wounded crewman from a burning tank, who otherwise would have died. Technician Fifth Grade James K. Okubo’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

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Born: May 30, 1920 in Anacortes, Wash…. Initially awarded the Silver Star for his actions but upgraded to Medal of Honor in 2000… Departed: January 29, 1967… Interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit