The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military decoration, awarded for valor in action against an enemy force. It is bestowed by the president on behalf of Congress to servicemembers who distinguish themselves through “gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty.” Pasadena honors two recipients, Reginald Desiderio and Joe Hayashi, both of whom received it posthumously. There is a park named after Desiderio in the Lower Arroyo and a plaque there with his Medal of Honor Citation. In Victory Park there is a plaque in honor of Hayashi.

But there is a third son of Pasadena who received the Medal of Honor after returning home who today has been forgotten by this city.

Though the names of Desiderio and Hayashi are etched in bronze and stone, t

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