![]() ![]() He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which made him the first Hawaiian to receive the award. A half hour after his last stand, the Americans retook the ridge and discovered that Pilila’au had courageously - and single-handedly - killed 40 enemy combatants. He suffered a gunshot wound, but he never gave up and continued onward until a final bayonet struck him down. Pilila’au pulled out his trench knife and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat while his unit helplessly watched from afar in total disbelief. When he had no more grenades to hurl, he threw rocks and nearby objects until they were on top of him. One of the few photos available of PFC Herbert K. Pilila’au refused to leave his position and switched to the hand grenades on his belt. ![]() Through waves of advancing North Korean soldiers, he fired his M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle with pinpoint accuracy until all of his ammunition was spent. When his commander ordered the soldiers in his platoon to retreat 200 yards from their position because of an imminent threat of being overrun by the enemy, Pilila’au volunteered to cover their withdrawal. troops were in a desperate fight to control the strategic hilltop. Army’s 23rd Infantry Regiment where the quiet and unassuming young man who “couldn’t hurt a fly” earned legendary status on “Heartbreak Ridge.”įor several hours on the morning of Sept. In March 1951, he arrived in North Korea as a part of the U.S. declared that they were going to war in the Korean peninsula, Pilila’au, alongside 4,000 other Hawaiian draftees answered the call. Pilila’au was an independent 22-year-old Hawaii native who enjoyed classical music, singing, and playing his ukulele. ĭescribed as a gentle and sweet boy by his siblings, Herbert K. ![]() Learn more ›Įditor’s Note: This article was originally published by Coffee or Die Magazine on April 10, 2020. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. ![]()
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