The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.
This is the first in a series where Gunz Up will honor the Marines whose love of country and of their brothers in arms propelled them to heroism.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HAROLD C. AGERHOLMSTATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Private First Class Agerholm immediately volunteered to assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded. Locating and appropriating an abandoned ambulance jeep, he repeatedly made extremely perilous trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handedly loaded and evacuated approximately forty-five casualties, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own safety during a gruelling period of more than three hours. Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid two men whom he believed to be wounded Marines but was himself mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper while carrying out his hazardous mission. Private First Class Agerholm's brilliant initiative, great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
President Harry S. Truman
5 comments:
Thank you, PFC Angerholm, and thank you, Steve for this inspirational series.
Steve you never did tell me who played Pugs wife. I am into Mutiny on the Bounty and found myself laughing out loud at his description of the crew dressing or really lack of dressing.
You must have missed my answer about Pug's wife. Polly Bergen played Rhoda, and she wasn't anything like the Rhoda described in the book.
Don't forget: You're reading "The Caine Mutiny." Hehe!
That is so true. How could I have missed that but you know I have never read Mutiny On the Bounty. I need to read that one too, Did you and is it good. I think it was filmed around Catalina Island and I was recently reading acout thatI just vaguely remember that TV series. I think it would be hard to capture on film anything close to THE CAINE MUTINY. De'on came by yesterday to borrow my book but Karen already had it borrowed . Mr Wouk is the most masterful writer I have ever read. Please read Mila 18. Praying for you to get 100% better.
Thank you for the prayers, Virgie. They're powerful.
The movie they made of The Caine Mutiny wasn't too bad, and I'm a pretty harsh critic when it comes to movies made from great books. Humphrey Bogart played Capt. Quigg. Bogart looked like the Quigg I had pictured when I was reading the book. If you haven't seen it, rent it. It's worth the watch.
About Mutiny on the Bounty. I haven't read it, but there is a great reference to it in James Michener's book, "Tales of the South Pacific." It's another Pulitzer winner, and it's just as good as anything Herman Wouk wrote. Read it, if you haven't already. It's an incredible tale of World War II in the South Pacific, and, of course, the musical, "South Pacific, is based on this book. The book is much better, but the musical is still one of my favorites.
I know you would love "Tales of the South Pacific." It's one of those books I read over and over.
Tell Karen that she should read "The Winds of War" before she reads "War and Rememberance." "War and Rememberance" is the sequeal to "The Winds of War."
Post a Comment