Harold G. Epperson

He covered a grenade to save the lives of his fellow marines

Harold G. Epperson served as a private first class in the Marine Corps Reserve with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division. On 25 June 1944, his machine-gun position on Saipan faced a Japanese assault before dawn. He maintained fire against troops infiltrating the defensive line. When an enemy soldier who appeared dead rose and threw a grenade into the emplacement, Epperson covered it with his body. He died protecting his fellow Marines. His posthumous Medal of Honor recognized a sacrifice that preserved the lives of his comrades.

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 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the island of Saipan in the Marianas, 25 June 1944. With his machine-gun emplacement bearing the full brunt of a fanatic assault initiated by the Japanese under cover of predawn darkness, Pfc. Epperson manned his weapon with determined aggressiveness, fighting furiously in the defense of his battalion's position and maintaining a steady stream of devastating fire against rapidly infiltrating hostile troops to aid materially in annihilating several of the enemy and in breaking the abortive attack. Suddenly a Japanese soldier, assumed to be dead, sprang up and hurled a powerful hand grenade into the emplacement. Determined to save his comrades, Pfc. Epperson unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, diving upon the deadly missile, absorbed the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body. Stouthearted and indomitable in the face of certain death, Pfc. Epperson fearlessly yielded his own life that his able comrades might carry on the relentless battle against a ruthless enemy. His superb valor and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.