Wataru Nakamura
Private First Class, U.S. Army

Wataru Nakamura was originally from Los Angeles, CA, and his family was relocated during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944.

In May 1951, Private First Class Wataru Nakamura was serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 18 May, PFC Nakamura's unit was engaged with enemy forces at P'unch'on, Korea. PFC Nakamura's unit sustained a vicious attack on the night of 17 May that neutralized communications facilities between the 1st platoon and the Company Command Post. At about 0430 hours on 18 May, with intermittent rain and fog increasing the early morning darkness, PFC Nakamura volunteered to check and repair the damaged line. Unaware that the enemy had infiltrated and captured heavily-fortified friendly positions, he moved forward until he came under hostile fire. He then made a one-man assault, silencing a machine-gun and its crew with his carbine and bayonet and destroying two other enemy positions with grenades. When his ammunition was gone, he was forced to withdraw due to the overwhelming odds. After falling back, he met a carrying party, briefed the officer in charge, replenished his ammunition, and returned to engage the hostile force. Supported by rifle fire, he wiped out an enemy position and attacked the remaining bunker, killing one and wounding another enemy soldier before he was mortally wounded by grenade fire. PFC Nakamura's courageous, heroic and selfless actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Wataru Nakamura (ASN: ER-36467531), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private First Class Nakamura distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at P'unch'on, Korea, on 18 May 1951. Private Nakamura's unit sustained a vicious attack on the night of 17 May 1951, which neutralized communications facilities between the 1st platoon and the Company Command Post. At approximately 0430 hours on 18 May 1951, with intermittent rain and fog increasing the darkness of early morning, Private Nakamura volunteered to check and repair the damaged line. Unaware that the enemy had infiltrated and captured heavily-fortified friendly positions, he moved forward until he came under a withering hail of hostile fire. Disregarding his safety, he made a one-man assault, silencing a machine-gun and its crew with his carbine and bayonet and destroying two other enemy positions with grenades. When his ammunition was expended, he was forced to withdraw in the face of overwhelming odds. After falling back, he met a carrying party, briefed the officer in charge, and replenishing his ammunition, returned to engage the hostile force. Supported by rifle fire, he wiped out an enemy position and attacked the remaining bunker, killing one and wounding another enemy soldier before he was mortally wounded by grenade fire. Private Nakamura's intrepid actions and consummate devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 5 (January 15, 1952)

Burial

Private First Class Wataru Nakamura is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA, in Section A, 442nd Neisi Memorial.

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