 Citation... Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres,
France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards
away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy
strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic
rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers.
On 22 October 1944, he
and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to
the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an
18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and
taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro
initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill"
by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire.
He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro’s heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
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