Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in action on 6 July, 1944, near Molino a Ventoabbato, and from 27 to 28 August 1944, on the Arno river near Florence, Italy.
On 6 July, 1944, while his advanced observation post was the target of heavy mortar and artillery barrages, Staff Sergeant Masuda crawled 200 yards to the mortar section, secured a mortar tube and ammunition, and returned to the observation post. Using his helmet as a base plate, Staff Sergeant Masuda single-handedly directed effective fire upon the enemy for 12 hours, inflicting heavy casualties and repulsing two major enemy counter-attacks.
On 27 August, 1944, Staff Sergeant Masuda voluntarily led two men on a night patrol across the Arno river and through the heavily-mined and booby-trapped north bank. Hearing movements to his right he ordered his men to cover him while he crawled forward and discovered that a strong enemy force had surrounded them. Realizing that he was trapped, he ordered his men to withdrawal while he boldly engaged two enemy automatic weapons. At the sacrifice of his life, he enabled his comrades to escape with valuable information which materially aided the successful crossing of the Arno river.
The gallant heroism and selfless devotion to duty of Staff Sergeant Masuda exemplify the finest tradition of the Infantry of the Army of the United States."

Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 95 (1945).
Awarded posthumously.
Presentation is made to his next of kin, his sister, Mary Masuda.