Flags are flying at half-mast in memory of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura, who died last week at the age of 97. All of New Mexico was honored to have Miyamura as a resident.
Miyamura’s Memorial and Funeral service will take place on Saturday in Gallup. The reception will be at the high school in Gallup, which was named after him. Carlsbad resident Lee Watts, who has met Miyamura, recently provided us with additional background on this incredible American citizen.
Miyamura grew up in Gallup, and he was one of only a handful of Japanese Americans in the town. While some communities showed hostility toward their Japanese American residence, Gallup protected its Japanese residents. During World War II, he became part of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment and served a part of the occupation force in Italy. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve when he returned home.
In 1950, he was called to active duty in the Korean War. On the morning of April 24, 1951, Miyamura was ordered to set up his machine-gun squad and hold it for as long as possible. This was part of the American fall back from the Chosin Reservoir, in which our soldiers were outnumbered ten to one by the Chinese, and fighting in the freezing cold. As the enemy charged, according to reports, Miyamura rose from his machine gun and charged them, killing numerous soldiers with his bayonet and rifle. He continued to hold off overwhelming odds in order to protect his fellow soldiers, killing an estimated 50 enemy soldiers.
Injured by a grenade, Miyamura later lost consciousness and was ultimately taken captive. Another soldier taken captive was Joseph Lawrence Annello, who was injured even worse than Miyamura. Miyamura carried Annello for miles, but was eventually forced to leave him at gunpoint (and Annello’s urging). However, Annello was later picked up by a different unit and ultimately escaped. He did not know that Miyamura was still alive until several years later.
The two soldiers remained best friends for many years. Their story is told in the excellent book “Forged in Fire: The Saga of Hershey and Joe.” Annello passed away in 2018.
Miyamura remained a captive for two years before being released. It was decided that he would receive the Congressional Medal of Honor during his captivity, but this matter was kept quiet to help protect his safety. President Eisenhower presented Hiroshi Miyamura with the Medal of Honor on Oct. 27, 1953.
Miyamura later returned to his career as an auto mechanic and service station owner and his grandchild, Marisa, is a member of the United States Air Force. In Gallup, an area, the high school and an overpass are all named in Miyamura’s memory.
Miyamura’s incredible story is similar to the story of Eddy County Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Alejandro Ruiz, whose heroism during World War II earned him a Congressional Medal of Honor.
Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura’s unbelievable acts of bravery saved the lives of numerous American soldiers. We mourn the passing of this incredible American citizen.
Sincerely, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway