Daniel Inouye

Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 by President Barack Obama.

Member of the famed 'Go for Broke' 442nd Combat Regiment during World War II. The regiment was made up of Nisei, or second generation Japanese-American citizens, some of whom had volunteered out of internment camps. By the end of the war he had received the Purple Heart with cluster, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Service Cross, and 12 other citations. In 2000, his Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to a Congressional Medal of Honor.

U.S. senator from Hawaii, 3 January 1963 - 17 December 2012; died in office.

First US Congressional representative from Hawaii, 21 August 1959 - 3 January 1963. Elected to the US Senate in 1962.

Medal of Honor Citation: Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

Daniel Inouye was born on September 7, 1924 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA as Daniel Ken Inouye. He was married to Irene Hirano and Margaret Shinobu Awamura.