The American war hero whose highest military honor was kept secret for years

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Hiroshi Miyamura fought with extraordinary valor during the Korean War, single-handedly holding off enemy forces to save his squad. Yet, when he was captured, the U.S. Army classified his Medal of Honor as top secret for 28 months, fearing that his captors would execute him if they knew his identity.

Born in Gallup, New Mexico, to Japanese immigrant parents, Hiroshi Miyamura faced initial rejection from the U.S. military after the attack on Pearl Harbor, being classified as an enemy alien. By 1945, these restrictions were lifted, and he volunteered for the 442nd Infantry Regiment. Though he missed combat in Europe, he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, serving as a machine gun squad leader with the 3rd Infantry Division.

During a fierce engagement near Taejon-ni on April 24–25, 1951, Miyamura’s position was threatened by Chinese communist forces. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, wielding his bayonet in hand-to-hand combat and manning machine guns to cover his men’s withdrawal. After exhausting his ammunition and suffering severe wounds, he was captured. His captors were unaware of his specific actions, a fortunate ignorance that likely saved his life while he endured over two years of brutal imprisonment, torture, and starvation.

The U.S. government intentionally suppressed news of his Medal of Honor to protect him from potential retaliation by his captors. Upon his release in August 1953, he was finally informed of the award. He received the medal from President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the White House in October 1953. Miyamura’s story remains a testament to the complex intersection of patriotism, racial prejudice, and the extreme risks taken by those who serve, eventually leading to his recognition as a national hero.

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