On Sept. 13, 1951, the Americans launched an effort to take a heavily fortified and well-defended ridge. The area eventually gained the infamous nickname, "Heartbreak Ridge," due to the desperate fighting that went on there. Just four days into the battle, Herbert Pilila'au, a young draftee from Hawaii, and the rest of C Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment, charged up the slopes of the ridge, intent on taking Hill 931. However, his platoon's attack bogged down and they set in a defensive perimeter while the remainder of the company set in elsewhere.
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With the help of supporting fire, the platoon was able to hold back probing attacks. Before long though, the North Koreans attacked in force and Pilila'au's platoon attempted to rejoin the rest of the company. Pilila'au, his squad leader, and the company artillery observer remained behind to cover the withdrawal. As the other two called for fire onto the encroaching enemy Pilila'au poured withering fire into the enemy with his BAR.
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Despite friendly artillery landing all around him, enemy forces charging forward, and dwindling hopes of a successful retreat, Pilila'au remained in his position to ensure his comrades were secure. When he expended the last of his BAR ammunition, he met the enemy advance with grenades. When those were gone, Pilila'au grabbed his trench knife and charged from his position to battle his foe hand-to-hand.
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From their now secure vantage point, his fellow soldiers watched Pilila'au charge headlong into the communists, stabbing and punching as he went until he was overwhelmed and felled by an enemy bayonet. When American forces retook the position the next day, they found the bodies of 40 dead enemies around Pilila'au. For his actions on Heartbreak Ridge, Pilila'au received the Medal of Honor.