Harold Christ Agerholm

Rank: Private First Class

Conflict/Era: World War II

Unit/Command: 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division

Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Medal of Honor Action Date: July 7, 1944

Medal of Honor Action Place: Saipan, Marianas Islands

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d 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, Pfc. 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 45 casualties, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own safety during a grueling 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. Pfc. Agerholm's brillant initiative, great personal valor, and self-sacrificing efforts in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Accredited to: Wisconsin

Awarded Posthumously: Yes

Born: January 29, 1925, Racine, Racine County, WI, United States

Died: July 7, 1944, Saipan, Mariana Islands

Buried: Mound Cemetery (4-E-8-4), Racine, WI, United States

Location of Medal: Racine Veterans Legacy Museum (duplicate Medal), Racine, WI

Read more at www.CMOHS.org