Sergeant Leroy Mendonca's platoon of Company B had captured Hill 586 near Chich-on, North Korea, on July 4, 1951. A large enemy force assaulted his platoon during the night, and Mendonca volunteered to remain in an exposed position to cover the platoon's withdrawal. Under heavy enemy fire, he fired his weapon and hurled grenades at the enemy. When he ran out of ammunition, Mendonca used his rifle as a club and his bayonet in hand-to-hand combat. It is estimated he killed 37 enemy soldiers before falling mortally wounded. Mendonca's bold action stalled the crushing enemy assault, protected his platoon's withdrawal to secondary positions and enabled his unit to repel the attack and retain possession of its key hilltop position.

Source: United States Of America Korean War Commemoration

U.S. Army Photograph of Lieutenant Colonel Ruth A. Tanaka.

During the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, Asian-Pacific American women continued to enter the military and to work in civilian organizations affiliated with the military, although in reduced numbers. Ruth A. Tanaka joined the Army Nurse Corps in 1949 and served for 20 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

During her military career, she was stationed at the 98th General Hospital, Munich, Germany; Tokyo Army Hospital, Japan; Fort Ord Army Hospital, California; the 110th Evacuation Hospital, Germany; Beaumont General Hospital, Texas; the 121st Evacuation Hospital, Korea; and Letterman Army Hospital, San Francisco, California.

Source: Women In Military Service For America Memorial