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Francis B. Wai

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concentrated enemy fire from gun positions advantageously located in a palm grove bounded by submerged rice paddies. Finding the first four waves of American soldiers leaderless, disorganized, and pinned down on the open beach, he immediately assumed command. Issuing clear and concise orders, and disregarding heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire, he began to move inland through the rice paddies without cover. The men, inspired by his cool demeanor and heroic example, rose from their positions and followed him. During the advance, Captain Wai repeatedly determined the locations of enemy strong points by deliberately exposing himself to draw their fire. In leading an assault upon the last remaining Japanese pillbox in the area, he was killed by its occupants. Captain Wai's courageous, aggressive leadership inspired the men, even after his death, to advance and destroy the enemy. His intrepid and determined efforts were largely responsible for the rapidity with which the initial beachhead was secured. Captain Wai'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.
141: 648: 607: 442: 657: 616: 582: 450: 752: 124: 573: 591: 642: 635: 601: 335: 628: 497:), he moved through the rice paddies, without cover. His demeanor and example inspired the other men to follow him. With deliberate disregard of his own personal safety, he advanced without cover to draw Japanese machine gun and rifle fire, thus exposing the locations of the entrenched Japanese forces. Systematically, the Japanese positions were assaulted and overcome. Wai was killed leading an assault against the last Japanese pillbox in the area. 49: 162: 664: 826: 492:
When the 34th Infantry landed at Red Beach, the Japanese forces stationed on the island concentrated their fire on the waves of incoming troops from gun positions located in a palm grove bounded by submerged rice paddies. Wai arrived on the beach in the fifth wave and found one of the rifle company
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Francis B. Wai distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action, on 20 October 1944, in Leyte, Philippine Islands. Captain Wai landed at Red Beach, Leyte, in the face of accurate,
527:, to conduct a full review of military records. The review concluded that 22 Asian Americans, including Wai, did not receive full consideration for the Medal of Honor. In 2000, Wai's Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor by the US Army. On June 21, 2000, President 258:
As a youngster, Wai liked to surf and he played several sports in high school and college. He graduated from college with a degree in finance. Although he initially planned to work with his father, he joined the Hawaii National Guard in 1940, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1941.
354:, he received a commission as a second lieutenant on September 27, 1941. His commission was rare at a time when few Asian Americans were allowed to serve in combat leadership roles. He was eventually assigned as an intelligence officer with Headquarters Company, 326:. At UCLA, he was a four sport athlete and graduated on January 31, 1940 with a bachelor's degree in Banking and Finance. He intended to work alongside his father in real estate and banking but instead joined the military upon the outbreak of World War II. 516:, the 34th Infantry commander, recommended Wai for a posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions on Leyte. Wai was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; Newman was also awarded a DSC for his actions on October 20, 1944. 535:, presented the Medal of Honor to each of the 22 Asian Americans whose Distinguished Service Crosses were upgraded to the Medal of Honor. President Clinton presented Wai's MOH to his brother, Robert Wai Sr., during the ceremony. 433:. Wai's regiment captured the Sorido and Borokoe airdromes before returning to the division on Hollandia in July. In two months, the 34th Infantry and Wai had crossed New Guinea and recaptured three airdromes from the Japanese. 493:
commanders in the 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry had been killed and most members of the battalion were leaderless, disorganized, and pinned down on the open beach. Assuming command, and using a BAR (
1603: 489:. The Leyte operation was to be the crucial battle of the war in the Pacific. On its outcome would depend the fate of the Philippines and the future course of the war against Japan. 1618: 1578: 1558: 1573: 1053: 1608: 1588: 1563: 1084: 873:
Wai was originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) posthumously in 1944. In 2000, his DSC was upgraded by the US Army to the Medal of Honor.
844: 386:, on the eastern coast of Australia. Wai and the rest of the unit began intensive combat training. With training completed, the division moved to 445:
A tactical map for the Invasion of Leyte on October 20, 1944. The 24th Infantry Division landed in the northern part of the island with X Corps.
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In May 1943, Captain Wai deployed to Australia with the 24th Infantry Division and by September 19, 1943, the unit was at Camp Caves, near
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in combat. After an extensive review of military awards in 2000, his DSC was upgraded to the Medal of Honor (MOH). Wai is the only
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and embarked on October 13, 1944. The invasion began on October 17. On October 20, the 24th Infantry Division was paired with the
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despite torrential rain and marshy terrain. Shortly after the Hollandia landing, the division's 34th Infantry Regiment moved to
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Of those whose military decorations for valor were upgraded, Wai was one of only two who did not belong to the predominantly
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in October 1940 and was called into active duty before the United States' entrance into World War II. After completing
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In 1996, amid allegations of prejudicial treatment of Asian Americans in uniform in World War II, Congress directed
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C-Span, Pacific Americans Awarded Concressional Medal of Honor, June 21, 2000
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C-Span, Pacific Americans Awarded Congressional Medal of Honor, June 21, 2000
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Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Stories of Sacrifice, Francis B. Wai
963:"Clinton awards Medal of Honor to 22 Asian-American World War II veterans" 532: 478: 95: 31: 581: 572: 441: 461:(left), wade ashore in the 24th Infantry Division sector at Red Beach, 1470:
Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States
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Go for Broke: The Nisei Warriors of World War II Who Conquered Germany
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United States Army Center of Military History, 34th Infantry Honors
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After occupying the Hollandia area, Wai's Division was assigned to
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Medal of Honor Action Place: Red Beach, Leyte, Philippine Islands
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within X Corps, and the two divisions made an assault landing at
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who was killed in action during the U.S. amphibious assault and
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Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
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posthumously for extraordinary heroism in action on Leyte.
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Unit/Command: Headquarters Company, 34th Infantry Regiment
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The Pacific War Companion: from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima
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Burials in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
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American military personnel of Native Hawaiian descent
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with the rank of captain. The 24th Division, based at
30:"Francis Wai" redirects here. Not to be confused with 1198: 821: 1559:
United States Army personnel killed in World War II
1443: 1413: 981: 897: 895: 845:List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II 286:who immigrated to Hawaii and Rosina Wai, a Native 1340:"22 Asian Americans Inducted into Hall of Heroes" 1540: 1085:"Captain Francis B. Wai: UCLA and American Hero" 892: 565:Captain Wai's military decorations and awards: 500:Wai's remains were permanently interred at the 457:and staff, accompanied by Philippine president 302:, who later became an actor. He graduated from 1574:American military personnel of Chinese descent 1398:Medal of Honor: Historical Facts & Figures 1609:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor 1291:United States Army Center of Military History 1227:United States Army Center of Military History 1164: 1162: 1160: 789:Medal of Honor Action Date: October 20, 1944 329: 322:for two years before transferring in 1937 to 1589:University of California, Los Angeles alumni 1564:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients 1363: 1322: 1320: 1318: 1118: 1116: 1114: 1112: 1110: 274:soldier to ever receive the Medal of Honor. 1157: 771: 232:(April 14, 1917 – October 20, 1944) was a 47: 1486:The Second World War, Vol. 1: The Pacific 1315: 1107: 960: 956: 954: 922: 920: 502:National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific 107:National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific 1474:United States Government Printing Office 1337: 1331: 1245: 1217: 1215: 1213: 1047: 1045: 1043: 1041: 1014: 1012: 1010: 1008: 1006: 1004: 1002: 1000: 998: 996: 926: 855:Chinese-American service in World War II 448: 440: 333: 1441: 1411: 1284: 1192: 1180: 1151: 1054:"Captain B. Wai:UCLA and American Hero" 1020:"Leyte 1944: The Ballad of Francis Wai" 477:in preparation for the invasion of the 14: 1541: 1480: 1400:. New York: Turner Publishing Company. 1204: 951: 917: 867: 421:on April 22, 1944 and seized the 27:United States Army captain (1917–1944) 1395: 1210: 1038: 993: 987: 764:Philippine Presidential Unit Citation 377: 390:on January 31, 1944, to prepare for 338:Wai at the beginning of World War II 241:liberation of the Philippine Islands 1420:. New York: American Legacy Media. 1278: 1082: 1051: 787:Military Service Branch: U.S. Army 290:. Growing up, he often surfed with 24: 1083:Lee, Meredith (11 November 2013). 1052:Lee, Meredith (11 November 2013). 560: 25: 1630: 1507: 1285:Stenger, Dieter (December 2014). 961:McDermott, Anne (June 21, 2000). 840:List of Medal of Honor recipients 507: 53:Captain Francis B. Wai, U.S. Army 1614:Hawaii people of Chinese descent 1599:Military personnel from Honolulu 1338:Williams, Rudi (June 28, 2000). 1229:. August 3, 2009. Archived from 1124:"Francis Wai: A Hero Remembered" 1091:. UCLA Athletics. Archived from 1060:. UCLA Athletics. Archived from 824: 750: 662: 655: 646: 640: 633: 626: 614: 605: 599: 589: 580: 571: 282:Wai was the child of Kim Wai, a 160: 139: 122: 1354: 1342:. American Forces Press Service 1304: 1267: 1255:. U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs 927:Williams, Rudi (May 19, 2000). 805: 1126:. Ethen Lieser. Archived from 1076: 906: 721:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 701:American Defense Service Medal 262:Wai was initially awarded the 13: 1: 1412:Sterner, C. Douglass (2007). 933:American Forces Press Service 880: 394:, the amphibious invasion of 277: 860: 547:442nd Regimental Combat Team 417:The 24th Division landed at 294:, regarded as the father of 7: 1569:United States Army officers 1360:17 Oct. 1944 to 4 July 1945 817: 812:UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame 794: 783:Conflict/era: World War II 740:Philippine Liberation Medal 264:Distinguished Service Cross 10: 1635: 810:Wai was inducted into the 776: 735:World War II Victory Medal 684: 674: 579: 570: 330:Military service and death 308:college preparatory school 29: 850:List of Chinese Americans 738: 733: 719: 709: 699: 694: 531:during a ceremony at the 320:Sacramento Junior College 213: 185: 171: 156: 148: 133: 117: 101: 81: 58: 46: 39: 1442:Marston, Daniel (2005). 676:Combat Infantryman Badge 543:100th Infantry Battalion 495:Browning Automatic Rifle 475:Sixth United States Army 436: 348:Officer Candidate School 772:Medal of Honor citation 711:American Campaign Medal 1594:Native Hawaiian people 803: 466: 446: 431:41st Infantry Division 400:Netherlands New Guinea 372:attack on Pearl Harbor 360:24th Infantry Division 356:34th Infantry Regiment 339: 180:24th Infantry Division 176:34th Infantry Regiment 1584:Punahou School alumni 1373:. C. Douglass Sterner 965:. CNN. Archived from 814:on October 11, 2014. 798: 555:7th Infantry Regiment 525:Secretary of the Army 465:, on 20 October 1944. 452: 444: 352:Fort Benning, Georgia 344:Hawaii National Guard 337: 251:. He was awarded the 149:Years of service 1233:on September 4, 2009 483:1st Cavalry Division 342:Wai enlisted in the 1396:Owens, Ron (2004). 1130:on December 2, 2008 969:on February 8, 2009 76:Territory of Hawaii 1095:on 2 February 2014 549:; the other being 467: 447: 423:Hollandia Airdrome 392:Operation Reckless 378:Operation Reckless 364:Schofield Barracks 340: 234:United States Army 144:United States Army 1499:978-0-415-96845-4 1490:Osprey Publishing 1452:Osprey Publishing 769: 768: 758: 757: 745: 744: 670: 669: 551:Rudolph B. Davila 540:Japanese American 512:In 1944, Colonel 455:Douglas MacArthur 429:to reinforce the 388:Goodenough Island 230:Francis Brown Wai 227: 226: 41:Francis Brown Wai 16:(Redirected from 1626: 1533: 1531: 1529: 1515:"Francis B. Wai" 1503: 1477: 1465: 1449: 1431: 1419: 1401: 1383: 1382: 1380: 1378: 1371:"Home of Heroes" 1367: 1361: 1358: 1352: 1351: 1349: 1347: 1335: 1329: 1324: 1313: 1308: 1302: 1301: 1299: 1297: 1282: 1276: 1271: 1265: 1264: 1262: 1260: 1249: 1243: 1242: 1240: 1238: 1219: 1208: 1202: 1196: 1190: 1184: 1178: 1172: 1166: 1155: 1149: 1140: 1139: 1137: 1135: 1120: 1105: 1104: 1102: 1100: 1080: 1074: 1073: 1071: 1069: 1049: 1036: 1035: 1033: 1031: 1016: 991: 985: 979: 978: 976: 974: 958: 949: 948: 946: 944: 935:. Archived from 924: 915: 910: 904: 899: 874: 871: 834: 832:Biography portal 829: 828: 827: 760: 759: 754: 747: 746: 726:arrowhead device 672: 671: 666: 659: 650: 644: 637: 630: 618: 609: 603: 593: 584: 575: 568: 567: 306:, a prestigious 272:Chinese American 247:in 1944, during 206: 164: 143: 135: 128: 126: 125: 88: 85:October 20, 1944 68: 66: 51: 37: 36: 21: 1634: 1633: 1629: 1628: 1627: 1625: 1624: 1623: 1539: 1538: 1527: 1525: 1513: 1510: 1500: 1468: 1462: 1428: 1387: 1386: 1376: 1374: 1369: 1368: 1364: 1359: 1355: 1345: 1343: 1336: 1332: 1325: 1316: 1309: 1305: 1295: 1293: 1283: 1279: 1272: 1268: 1258: 1256: 1251: 1250: 1246: 1236: 1234: 1221: 1220: 1211: 1203: 1199: 1191: 1187: 1179: 1175: 1167: 1158: 1150: 1143: 1133: 1131: 1122: 1121: 1108: 1098: 1096: 1081: 1077: 1067: 1065: 1064:on May 31, 2021 1050: 1039: 1029: 1027: 1024:Avalanche Press 1018: 1017: 994: 986: 982: 972: 970: 959: 952: 942: 940: 939:on May 11, 2007 925: 918: 911: 907: 900: 893: 883: 878: 877: 872: 868: 863: 830: 825: 823: 820: 808: 797: 790: 788: 786: 784: 782: 779: 774: 723: 703: 652: 651: 645: 638: 631: 611: 610: 604: 563: 561:Military awards 510: 439: 380: 368:Pacific Theater 332: 292:Duke Kahanamoku 280: 220: 202: 198:Battle of Leyte 123: 121: 113: 109: 102:Place of burial 90: 86: 70: 64: 62: 54: 42: 35: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 1632: 1622: 1621: 1616: 1611: 1606: 1601: 1596: 1591: 1586: 1581: 1576: 1571: 1566: 1561: 1556: 1551: 1535: 1534: 1523:Military Times 1509: 1508:External links 1506: 1505: 1504: 1498: 1478: 1466: 1460: 1439: 1426: 1409: 1392: 1391: 1385: 1384: 1362: 1353: 1330: 1314: 1303: 1277: 1266: 1244: 1209: 1197: 1195:, p. 190. 1185: 1183:, p. 134. 1173: 1156: 1154:, p. 135. 1141: 1106: 1089:uclabruins.com 1075: 1037: 992: 980: 950: 916: 905: 890: 889: 888: 887: 882: 879: 876: 875: 865: 864: 862: 859: 858: 857: 852: 847: 842: 836: 835: 819: 816: 807: 804: 796: 793: 781:Rank: Captain 778: 775: 773: 770: 767: 766: 756: 755: 743: 742: 737: 732: 718: 714: 713: 708: 698: 693: 689: 688: 686:Medal of Honor 683: 679: 678: 668: 667: 660: 653: 639: 632: 625: 624: 623: 620: 619: 612: 598: 597: 596: 594: 586: 585: 577: 576: 562: 559: 509: 508:Medal of Honor 506: 438: 435: 419:Tanahmerah Bay 379: 376: 331: 328: 304:Punahou School 279: 276: 253:Medal of Honor 225: 224: 218:Medal of Honor 215: 211: 210: 209: 208: 195: 187: 183: 182: 173: 169: 168: 158: 154: 153: 150: 146: 145: 137: 131: 130: 119: 115: 114: 105: 103: 99: 98: 89:(aged 27) 83: 79: 78: 69:April 14, 1917 60: 56: 55: 52: 44: 43: 40: 26: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1631: 1620: 1617: 1615: 1612: 1610: 1607: 1605: 1602: 1600: 1597: 1595: 1592: 1590: 1587: 1585: 1582: 1580: 1577: 1575: 1572: 1570: 1567: 1565: 1562: 1560: 1557: 1555: 1552: 1550: 1547: 1546: 1544: 1537: 1524: 1520: 1519:Hall of Valor 1516: 1512: 1511: 1501: 1495: 1491: 1487: 1483: 1482:Horner, David 1479: 1475: 1471: 1467: 1463: 1461:9781846032127 1457: 1453: 1448: 1447: 1440: 1438: 1437:0-9796896-1-9 1434: 1429: 1427:9780979689611 1423: 1418: 1417: 1410: 1408: 1407:1-56311-995-1 1404: 1399: 1394: 1393: 1389: 1388: 1372: 1366: 1357: 1341: 1334: 1328: 1323: 1321: 1319: 1312: 1307: 1292: 1288: 1281: 1275: 1270: 1254: 1248: 1232: 1228: 1224: 1218: 1216: 1214: 1207:, p. 56. 1206: 1201: 1194: 1189: 1182: 1177: 1170: 1165: 1163: 1161: 1153: 1148: 1146: 1129: 1125: 1119: 1117: 1115: 1113: 1111: 1094: 1090: 1086: 1079: 1063: 1059: 1055: 1048: 1046: 1044: 1042: 1025: 1021: 1015: 1013: 1011: 1009: 1007: 1005: 1003: 1001: 999: 997: 990:, p. 22. 989: 984: 968: 964: 957: 955: 938: 934: 930: 923: 921: 914: 909: 903: 898: 896: 891: 885: 884: 870: 866: 856: 853: 851: 848: 846: 843: 841: 838: 837: 833: 822: 815: 813: 802: 792: 765: 762: 761: 753: 749: 748: 741: 736: 731: 727: 722: 716: 715: 712: 707: 702: 697: 691: 690: 687: 681: 680: 677: 673: 665: 661: 658: 654: 649: 643: 636: 629: 622: 621: 617: 613: 608: 602: 595: 592: 588: 587: 583: 578: 574: 569: 566: 558: 556: 552: 548: 544: 541: 536: 534: 530: 526: 522: 521:Louis Caldera 517: 515: 514:Aubrey Newman 505: 503: 498: 496: 490: 488: 484: 480: 476: 472: 464: 460: 459:Sergio Osmeña 456: 451: 443: 434: 432: 428: 424: 420: 415: 413: 409: 405: 401: 397: 393: 389: 385: 375: 373: 369: 365: 361: 357: 353: 349: 345: 336: 327: 325: 321: 317: 313: 309: 305: 301: 300:Buster Crabbe 297: 293: 289: 285: 275: 273: 269: 265: 260: 256: 254: 250: 246: 242: 238: 235: 231: 223: 219: 216: 212: 207: 205: 199: 196: 194: 191: 190: 189:World War II 188: 184: 181: 177: 174: 170: 167: 163: 159: 155: 151: 147: 142: 138: 132: 129:United States 120: 116: 112: 108: 104: 100: 97: 93: 84: 80: 77: 73: 61: 57: 50: 45: 38: 33: 19: 1536: 1526:. 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Retrieved 937:the original 908: 869: 809: 806:Other honors 799: 780: 730:bronze stars 696:Purple Heart 564: 537: 529:Bill Clinton 518: 511: 499: 491: 468: 416: 410:province of 381: 341: 281: 261: 257: 249:World War II 229: 228: 222:Purple Heart 203: 186:Battles/wars 87:(1944-10-20) 1554:1944 deaths 1549:1917 births 1528:January 11, 1274:TRACESOFWAR 1205:Horner 2003 1134:January 11, 706:bronze star 533:White House 479:Philippines 384:Rockhampton 152:1940 – 1944 96:Philippines 32:Francis Lai 18:Francis Wai 1543:Categories 1237:August 25, 1058:pac-12.com 988:Owens 2004 881:References 278:Early life 193:New Guinea 118:Allegiance 65:1917-04-14 1171:, p. 527. 1099:26 August 1068:March 21, 1030:March 20, 861:Footnotes 412:Indonesia 406:, in the 396:Hollandia 1484:(2003). 818:See also 795:Citation 717:3rd row 692:2nd row 682:1st row 453:General 404:Jayapura 312:Honolulu 288:Hawaiian 134:Service/ 72:Honolulu 1476:. 1959. 1390:General 1296:July 4, 1169:Almanac 777:Details 704:with 1 553:of the 523:, then 473:of the 471:X Corps 296:surfing 284:Chinese 237:captain 204:† 166:Captain 1496:  1458:  1435:  1424:  1405:  1026:. 2020 886:Inline 728:and 2 316:Hawaii 298:, and 214:Awards 200:  136:branch 127:  111:Hawaii 724:with 487:Leyte 463:Leyte 437:Leyte 408:Papua 402:(now 268:valor 245:Japan 243:from 92:Leyte 1530:2010 1494:ISBN 1456:ISBN 1433:ISBN 1422:ISBN 1403:ISBN 1379:2008 1348:2008 1298:2016 1261:2008 1239:2009 1136:2010 1101:2014 1070:2021 1032:2021 975:2008 945:2008 427:Biak 324:UCLA 172:Unit 157:Rank 82:Died 59:Born 414:). 350:at 310:in 1545:: 1521:. 1517:. 1492:. 1488:. 1472:. 1454:. 1450:. 1317:^ 1289:. 1225:. 1212:^ 1159:^ 1144:^ 1109:^ 1087:. 1056:. 1040:^ 1022:. 995:^ 953:^ 931:. 919:^ 894:^ 557:. 398:, 374:. 358:, 314:, 178:, 94:, 74:, 1532:. 1502:. 1464:. 1430:. 1381:. 1350:. 1300:. 1263:. 1241:. 1138:. 1103:. 1072:. 1034:. 977:. 947:. 545:/ 67:) 63:( 34:. 20:)

Index

Francis Wai
Francis Lai

Honolulu
Territory of Hawaii
Leyte
Philippines
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Hawaii


Captain
34th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Division
New Guinea
Battle of Leyte

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
United States Army
captain
liberation of the Philippine Islands
Japan
World War II
Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
valor
Chinese American
Chinese
Hawaiian

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