Harold C. Agerholm

He drove through enemy fire to rescue dozens of wounded men.

Harold Christ Agerholm was born on January 29, 1925, in Racine, Wisconsin. After working as a multigraph operator, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve in July 1942. He trained in California, sailed for New Zealand in November and fought at Tarawa in November 1943. He served as a private first class in the Marine Corps Reserve with the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division.

On July 7, 1944, on Saipan, a Japanese counterattack overran a nearby artillery battalion. Agerholm volunteered to help evacuate the wounded. Using an abandoned ambulance jeep, he made repeated journeys through rifle and mortar fire for more than three hours. His citation credits him with rescuing approximately 45 casualties.

He then went to aid two men he believed were wounded Marines. A sniper mortally wounded him during the attempt. Agerholm received a posthumous Medal of Honor for his rescue efforts. He is buried at Mound Cemetery in Racine. His award commemorates tireless service to wounded men during a sustained attack.

Medal of Honor Citation

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.