THE WALL OF FACES

SERGEANT FIRST CLASS

RODNEY JAMES TAKASHI YANO


<><><><> CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR <><><><>


AIR CAVALRY TROOP

11th ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT


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CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


NEAR BIEN HOA

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

1 JANUARY 1969


For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. SFC Yano distinguished himself
while serving with the Air Cavalry Troop. SFC 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 antiaircraft 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, SFC Yano completely disregarded his own
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. SFC 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, SFC Yano has reflected great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.




THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL
AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL




YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE