On September 17, 1951, U.S. Army draftee and Hawaiian native Pfc. Herbert K. Pililaau and the men of Company C, 23rd IR/2nd ID and two other companies were tasked with capturing Hill 931; one of Heartbreak Ridge's two identifiable peaks, from North Korean forces. At about 10:00 p.m., two battalions of the 13th Infantry Regiment, 6th Division, Korean People's Army, began a concerted attack on the position. With enemy artillery striking close by and ammunition running low, Pililaau's squad was assigned to stay back momentarily and cover the retreat. Eventually, only Pililaau and his squad leader remained at the platoon's original position. The squad leader and forward observer Lt. Richard Hagar called in artillery fire continuously ahead of Pililaau, trying to cover him, while Pililaau continued to fight off the attack. After exhausting the ammunition for his BAR, he began throwing hand grenades until those too were gone. Pfc. Pililaau then began throwing rocks at the attackers before charging at them, wielding his trench knife with one hand and punching with the other. When his platoon retook the position the next day, they found forty dead North Korean soldiers around his body; he was killed by an enemy bayonet.
The 22 year old Pfc was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 18, 1952; making him the first Hawaiian to receive the Medal.
He's buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. #zerofucks #nofucks #stayzero #hero #patriot #sacrifice