| Birth: | Jan. 29, 1925 | | Death: | Jul. 7, 1944 | 
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve during World War II as a Private First Class in the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery on Saipan in the Marianas Islands on July 7, 1944. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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 3 hours. Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid 2 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 brilliant 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". Private Agerholm was only 19 years of age. In September 1945 the United States Navy launched the "USS Agerholm" (DD-826), a Destroyer named in his honor. The warship would serve in the Korean War, garnering 4 Battle Stars, and in the Vietnam War, where it received 8 Battle Stars. It was decommissioned in 1978. (bio by: Russ Dodge)
Cause of death: Killed In Action
Search Amazon for Harold Agerholm | | | Burial:
Mound Cemetery
Racine
Racine County
Wisconsin, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: Russ Dodge
Record added: May 09, 2002
Find A Grave Memorial# 6404099 |
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