Montemarino

September 23, 1943 – North of Montemarino, the 100th encountered a hidden machine gun nest.  Lobbing grenades, Sgt. Joe Takata charged the machine gun nest.  Though fatally wounded, he indicated the location of the hidden gunners to his comrades who were able to subdue the Germans.  For his actions, he was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Service Cross.  An hour later, more machine gun fire killed Pvt. Keichi Tanaka.  Under heavy fire, the 100th moved off the major roads to continue their trek to Castlevere.