MEDIA RELEASE

In honor of the late Barney Fushimi Hajiro, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today ordered that all Hawaii flags at all State offices and agencies as well as the Hawaii National Guard are to be flown at half-staff beginning sunrise Feb. 12 until sunset on Feb. 14.

Hajiro was born Sept. 16, 1916 on Maui and passed away Jan. 21, 2011.

He was an Army private and member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In October 1944, he ran 100 yards through a stream of bullets to lead the charge of his unit up “Suicide Hill” to take down the enemy. This and other acts of bravery earned him the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor.

Abercrombie issued a Proclamation in Hajiro’s memory stating, “Barney Fushimi Hajiro epitomized the dedication, courage and perseverance exhibited during World War II by all Americans of Japanese ancestry … was well-regarded by his community, the people of Hawaii and our nation.”