[subego]

Just perusing reddit and came across the bio for Inouye, who apparently was in command of a platoon in WWII.

Him and his men got pinned down in Italy by three machine gun nests. Inouye stands up, gets plugged in the stomach, but charges the first nest with a Tommy-gun in one hand and grenades in the other. He takes out the first nest.

The medic tells him he's been hit bad, Inouye replies with "I ain't got time to bleed" (or words to that effect), and leads the charge on the second nest, which his platoon takes out. At this point Inouye collapses from blood loss.

While the rest of his platoon tried to suppress the gunner in the third nest, Inouye crawls to the bunker with a grenade in his hand. The gunner in the nest shoots at Inouye with a rifle grenade and blows Inouye's arm completely off. The one holding a live grenade.

With his one good arm, Inouye pries the grenade out of the fist of his severed arm and throws it into the bunker, all the while ordering his men to stay back in case the severed arm with the grenade relaxed on its own and went off.


Ummm... Holy shit?

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by subego 

Just perusing reddit and came across the bio for Inouye, who apparently was in command of a platoon in WWII.
Him and his men got pinned down in Italy by three machine gun nests. Inouye stands up, gets plugged in the stomach, but charges the first nest with a Tommy-gun in one hand and grenades in the other. He takes out the first nest.
The medic tells him he's been hit bad, Inouye replies with "I ain't got time to bleed" (or words to that effect), and leads the charge on the second nest, which his platoon takes out. At this point Inouye collapses from blood loss.
While the rest of his platoon tried to suppress the gunner in the third nest, Inouye crawls to the bunker with a grenade in his hand. The gunner in the nest shoots at Inouye with a rifle grenade and blows Inouye's arm completely off. The one holding a live grenade.
With his one good arm, Inouye pries the grenade out of the fist of his severed arm and throws it into the bunker, all the while ordering his men to stay back in case the severed arm with the grenade relaxed on its own and went off.
Ummm... Holy shit?

Yes, "holy shit." The senator started out with "something to prove" because at the time people of Japanese lineage were being segregated and treated as "potential enemies," so the esteemed senator volunteered for the Army and wound up (as did many Japanese American Soldiers) in Europe.

Senator Inouye was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions, and later his award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor because it was felt that Inouye's and other Nisei Soldiers' heroism was not fairly recognized due to their race. He stayed in the Army until 1947...

[subego]

If you take out a bunker with a grenade you pried from your own severed limb, whatever the biggest medal you can get and still be alive...

You should get that medal.

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by subego 

If you take out a bunker with a grenade you pried from your own severed limb, whatever the biggest medal you can get and still be alive...
You should get that medal.

Agreed. Helluva story.

[The Final Dakar]

Yeah, his story is covered in Ken Burn's WWII doc. Amazing story.

[lpkmckenna]

Saw this on Reddit today. Amazing today.

[andi*pandi]

wow. Blood and guts.

[subego]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Yeah, his story is covered in Ken Burn's WWII doc. Amazing story.

Interesting. I was wondering if there was somewhere the story got wide play.

I'm a little surprised I'd never heard it. Makes me think he doesn't talk about it a whole lot.

[The Final Dakar]

Mike Kelly dun goofed.

http://www.inouye.senate.gov/news/pr...senator-inouye

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
“I witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor and had the privilege of serving in the United States Army during World War II and I find the comments made by the Congressman from Pennsylvania to be misguided and insulting. It is complete nonsense to suggest that a matter discussed, debated, and approved by the Congress and the President is akin to a surprise attack that killed nearly 2,500 people and launched our nation into the second World War or a terrorist attack that left nearly 3,000 dead and led to fighting and dying in Afghanistan and Iraq. Having fought for this nation in Europe, I find that I have a special kinship with those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and I routinely visit with the most severely wounded veterans of those conflicts. Just yesterday I met with a brave young man who lost all four of his limbs in Afghanistan. I hope the Congressman from Pennsylvania has the courage to share his comparison with them,” said Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

[subego]

I like his juxtaposition of health care with people who have no limbs.

Well turned phrase, sir.

[BadKosh]

He was pretty cool during the Watergate hearings too.

[subego]

R.I.P.

That's a drag.

[lpkmckenna]

RIP BAMF

[hyteckit]

RIP