Rodney Yano, Medal of Honor hero in Vietnam who saved his crew

Nov 30 , 2025

Rodney Yano, Medal of Honor hero in Vietnam who saved his crew

Rodney Yano did not die quietly.

He burned through hell on earth in a split second, his body aflame, every instinct screaming to save himself. Instead, he chose to save his brothers. Throwing burning grenades away from the position filled with sleeping soldiers—not once, but twice. Blood and fire running down his arms, bones broken, lungs scorched. He lived for his comrades until the moment death claimed him.

From Hawaiian Roots to Army Ranks

Born in Hawaii on May 19, 1943, Rodney Yano grew up steeped in humility and honor. A Nisei—second-generation Japanese American—he bore the legacy of families who endured war and prejudice. His faith and values were grounded in respect, duty, and a quiet strength that shaped his soldier’s heart.

He enlisted in the Army in 1963, joining the 11th Airborne Division initially, before moving to the 23rd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division—units forged in the jungles of Vietnam. Survival was carved from trust in your team and blind obedience to the mission. Yano lived this code every day.

His combat role went beyond shooting; he was a crew chief of an M-113 armored personnel carrier—responsible for the safety of the vehicle and its passengers, eyes sharp for the first sign of danger.

The Battle That Defined Him: January 1, 1969

Vietnam was brutal and unrelenting in ’69. That day, Yano’s squad moved through dense jungle near Cai Lay, Mekong Delta, under a withering enemy barrage. As the APC rolled forward, a Viet Cong grenade landed inside the vehicle.

Instantly, it detonated. But the initial blast only half told the story. Yano was slammed by shrapnel and burning fragments. His clothing caught fire.

Still, with the grenade’s deadly fragments exploding around him, Yano took control. He grabbed the burning grenade fragments and hurled them away from the crew compartment. His arms screamed in agony, skin blistering and blackening.

Another grenade landed in the vehicle seconds later. His body broken, lungs burned, and vision swimming in pain, he found the strength to throw that one clear too.

His actions saved at least six men from certain death.

Despite wounds that would kill any ordinary man outright, Yano’s drive was relentless—one last act of courage born from unshakable loyalty to his brothers in arms.

He died hours later.

Medal of Honor: A Testament Sealed in Blood

For his actions on that day, Rodney Yano was awarded the Medal of Honor—posthumously—to recognize his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” His citation reads like a creed of sacrifice:

“With complete disregard for his own safety and with the probability of alt death, PFC Yano unhesitatingly risked his life to save several of his comrades aboard the burning vehicle.”

Leaders who served with him, like Medal of Honor recipient James R. Knodel, reflect on Yano’s legacy with reverence:

“Rodney’s selflessness was the ultimate expression of brotherhood. He didn’t consider his own pain or survival. He just did what was right for the men he served with.”

Legacy Written in Flame and Faith

Rodney Yano’s story is not just one of war. It is a testament of the warrior spirit intertwined with faith and redemption.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

They teach us about the awful price of battle. But also the undying spark of man’s capacity to rise above fear and injury.

His sacrifice echoes through soldier halls and beyond—proof that courage is not the absence of fear, but action despite it. His name carved into the annals of valor, a beacon for generations who carry wounds both seen and unseen.

Rodney Yano died wrapped in fire, but his spirit burns eternal.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, “Medal of Honor Recipients — Vietnam (A-L)” 2. Military Times, “Hall of Valor: Rodney Yano” 3. Medal of Honor: Profiles of America’s Military Heroes, Harvey Brudo 4. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, official citation of Rodney Yano