Private First Class Joe Maori Nishimoto (, February 21, 1919 – November 15, 1944) was a United States Army soldier. He is best known for receiving the Medal of Honor because of his actions in World War II.US Army Center of Military History, "Medal of Honor Recipients, World War II (M-S)" ; retrieved 2012-12-7.
Early life Nishimoto was born in California to Japanese immigrant parents. He was a Nisei, which means that he was a second generation Japanese-American.
He was interned at the Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas, following the signing of Executive Order 9066.
Soldier Nishimoto joined the US Army in October 1943.NARA, WWII Army Enlistment Record #35229917 (Nishimoto, Joe M.); retrieved 2012-12-7.
Nishimoto volunteered to be part of the all-Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion.Go for Broke National Education Center, "Medal of Honor Recipient Private Shinyei Nakamine" ; retrieved 2012-12-7. This army unit was mostly made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland. "100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry" at Global Security.org; retrieved 2012-12-7.
For his actions in November 1944, Nishimoto was awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross. "21 Asian American World War II Vets to Get Medal of Honor" at University of Hawaii Digital History ; retrieved 2012-12-7. He was killed in action on November 15, 1944.
Medal of Honor citation Nishimoto's Medal of Honor recognized his conduct in frontline fighting in France in 1944.
Private First Class Nishimoto's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Awards and decorations
BadgeCombat Infantryman Badge1st rowMedal of Honor2nd rowBronze Star MedalPurple HeartArmy Good Conduct Medal3rd rowAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean–African–Middle Eastern Campaign MedalWorld War II Victory Medal
See also
List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
References
External links "Army Secretary Lionizes 22 World War II Heroes" at Defense.gov