Private Pililaau served with the 23rd Inf., 2nd Division near Pia-ri, Korea. On September 17, 1951, Pililaau volunteered to remain behind to cover the withdrawal of his unit from "Heartbreak Ridge." After exhausting all ammunition, Pililaau fought hand-to-hand with the enemy. When the position was retaken by the American troops, a surprising number of enemy soldiers were found dead surrounding Pililaau's body. For his sacrifice, Pililaau received the Medal of Honor.

*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events.

Received Medal of Honor posthumously for holding off an assault using his automatic rifle and hand grenades and, after exhausting all available ammunition, engaged the attackers in hand to hand combat until being overrun and killed. A native Hawaiian, he was drafted into the military and sent to Korea in early 1951. Pililaau died September 17, 1951. He was 22 years old

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

I learned about Private Pililaau just today and was saddened to learn he died on my 15th birthday.  He was only 7 years older than I on that last day of his life, 70 years ago!  I will visit my daughter in Hawaii when Covid permits and plan to visit his grave to pay my respects personally.   I'm a veteran of the peacetime Army... 1957-1960, where I first met other Native Hawaiian and Filipino soldiers.

He was awarded the #MOH posthumously  for holding off an assault using his automatic rifle and hand grenades and, after exhausting all available ammunition, engaged the attackers in hand to hand combat until being overrun and killed. A native Hawaiian, he was drafted into the military and sent to Korea in early 1951. Pililaau died September 17, 1951. He was 22 years old. He is interred at the National Memorial of the Pacific. 

HERBERT K PILILAAU

Service

KOREA

US ARMY,

PFC

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

Biography

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us