Private First Class Pililaau was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. On September 17, 1951 at "Heartbreak Ridge" near Pia-ri, North Korea, when his unit was forced to withdraw, he remained behind to cover the withdrawal. He fought valiantly, delaying the attackers, until his ammunition expired. He continued to fight hand to hand until mortally wounded. For his leadership and great valor, Private First Class Pililaau was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Fold3_Team · Apr 8, 2013
Private First Class Pililaau was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. On September 17, 1951 at "Heartbreak Ridge" near Pia-ri, North Korea, when his unit was forced to withdraw, he remained behind to cover the withdrawal. He fought valiantly, delaying the attackers, until his ammunition expired. He continued to fight hand to hand until mortally wounded. For his leadership and great valor, Private First Class Pililaau was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.