NBC News
Gary Takashima accepts the Medal of Honor on behalf of his late uncle, Private First Class Wataru Nakamura, from President Joe Biden.

WASHINGTON — On Jan. 3, President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to seven U.S. Army soldiers, including Private First Class Wataru Nakamura.

Nakamura received the medal posthumously for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with Company I, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in the vicinity of P’ungch’on-ni, Korea.

At daybreak on May 18, 1951, Nakamura volunteered to check and repair a communications line between his platoon and the command post. As he made his way along the line in the early morning half-light, he was brought under fire by an enemy force that had surrounded friendly positions and was threatening to break the company defense lines.

Immediately, without regard for his own safety and without waiting for help, he rushed the enemy with fixed bayonet engaged. Singlehandedly, he attacked and destroyed a hostile machine-gun nest and drove the enemy from several of the bunkers they had captured. When his ammunition was depleted, he withdrew under intense enemy fire.

Then he met an ammunition party ascending the hill. Quickly briefing the officer in charge, Nakamura re-armed himself and, covered by the fire of the officer in charge and two comrades, returned to the attack. In a fierce charge, he killed three of the enemy in one bunker and killed and seriously wounded another in the last enemy-held bunker.

During the ceremony, Biden noted that Nakamura, despite being incarcerated by the U.S. government along with other Japanese Americans, “signed up to defend our nation during World War II and the Korean War.”

Continuing to press the attack, he was killed by an enemy grenade.

Accepting the medal was Nakamura’s nephew, Gary Takashima.

Also recognized posthumously for their actions during the Korean War were Private Bruno R. Orig, Corporal Fred B. McGee, Private First Class Charles R. Johnson, and First Lieutenant Richard E. Cavazos.

Recognized for their actions during the Vietnam War were Captain Hugh R. Nelson, Jr. (posthumously) and Private First Class Kenneth J. David.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while:

  • Engaged in an action against an enemy of the U.S.;
  • Engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
  • Serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party.

The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.