[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF BARNEY F. HAJIRO'S PASSING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 2011

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Private Barney F. 
Hajiro, Medal of Honor recipient. On January 21, 2011, Private Hajiro 
passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 94.
  Barney Hajiro was born in Hawaii in 1941 to Japanese immigrant 
parents. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Barney was drafted 
into the U.S. Army. In 1943, he volunteered to join the 442d Regimental 
Combat Team composed of second-generation Japanese-Americans and was 
then sent to Europe to fight the Germans in Italy and France. While 
fighting in France, the 442d Regiment was called upon to rescue the 
Texas 36th Division that had been cut off and surrounded by Germans for 
over a week, earning its nickname the ``Lost Battalion.'' Private 
Hajiro and his comrades encountered a dangerous and challenging 
undertaking as the German troops relentlessly fired at the American 
soldiers from uphill.
  When ordered to attack, Barney fearlessly charged ahead up the hill, 
later referred to as ``Suicide Hill'' towards the heavily fortified 
enemy position, exposing himself to intense enemy fire, while 
constantly taking aim at multiple enemy strongholds. 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 and the United 
States Army.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest 
and most sincere gratitude for the service of Private Barney Hajiro, 
and honoring the memory and lasting legacy of this brave and selfless 
United States soldier. May we all strive to be as bold and as dedicated 
servants of our country as Private Barney Hajiro.

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