SP4 WALLACE KENJI MATAYOSHI

 

19 Mar 2004 Wallace, you are always with us. . . In our memory-filled hearts, we see your handsome face, we see your warm smile, and we hear your gentle voice. With love and aloha, Your Family Placed by his sister. jbpepke@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The following text is the Narrative Description paragraphs from B/27th Infantry's recommendation that SP4 Matayoshi receive the Bronze Star with "V": On 29 January 1966 Specialist Fourth Class Wallace K. Matayoshi, Company B, 1st Bn 27th Infantry, and two other enlisted men - Sergeant Roman E McDonald and PFC Majid Khoury - were occupying a listening post located approximately 150 meters from the company perimeter. At 2000 hours a hand grenade was thrown into their position seriously wounding SP4 Matayoshi and destroying their radio. Intense small arms fire was also received. Realizing that the slightest movement or sound would disclose the LPï¿ 1/2 s exact location to the enemy and thereby render them susceptible to enemy attack SP4 Matayoshi advised SGT McDonald that he was not seriously wounded. SP4 Matayoshi then administered self aid and though in agonizing pain he remained silent until the LP was relieved the following morning. At this time, however, it was discovered that SP4 Matayoshi, though conscious, was seriously wounded and beyond any medical help. By his composure and heroism SP4 Matayoshi instilled in the other members of the LP an extremely high degree of confidence and prevented the occurrence of further casualties. "For no greater love has a man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) "2000 hours" is 8 o'clock in the evening. Specialist 4 Matayoshi thus endured his wounds for ten hours or more before receiving medical attention - and did so in silence out of concern for his two comrades-in-arms. While the casualty database does not contain a location code, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 27th Infantry (the "Wolfhounds"), arrived in South Vietnam on 19 January 1966 and were based out of Cu Chi in what was then Hau Nghia Province - between Saigon and the Cambodian border. SP4 Matayoshi and Staff Sergeant Wallace R. Jacobsen (C/2/27), also killed in action on 30 January, were the Wolfhound's first losses in Vietnam, but 29 others died during February 1966 as two battalions began conducting offensive operations. Before their departure from Vietnam the Wolfhounds would lose 931 men, 895 in combat and 36 to accidents and illnesses. These men are remembered on the Wolfhound web site

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