Harold Gonsalves

He saved an artillery observation team from a deadly grenade

Harold Gonsalves was born in Alameda, California, on 28 January 1926. After leaving high school he worked as a stock clerk in Oakland. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1943 and entered active service in June. Following recruit training at San Diego, he trained as an artilleryman and sailed for the Pacific in November.

He fought with the 22nd Marines at Eniwetok and Guam during 1944 before his artillery unit joined the 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division. He landed on Okinawa on 1 April 1945.

Harold Gonsalves served as a Marine Corps Reserve private first class in Battery L, 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division. Acting as scout sergeant on 15 April 1945, he joined a forward observation team near Mount Yaetake on Okinawa’s Motobu Peninsula. He advanced uphill under enemy fire with an officer and another Marine to improve artillery observation. When a grenade landed among them, Gonsalves covered it with his body. He died saving his two companions. The Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously for his sacrifice during the Okinawa campaign.

His sister accepted his Medal of Honor in San Francisco on 19 June 1946, with his parents present. His remains were returned to California and buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in March 1949.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as acting scout sergeant with the 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 15 April 1945. Undaunted by the powerfully organized opposition encountered on Motobu Peninsula during the fierce assault waged by his battalion against the Japanese stronghold at Mount Yaetake, Pfc. Gonsalves repeatedly braved the terrific enemy bombardment to aid his forward observation team in directing well-placed artillery fire. When his commanding officer determined to move into the front lines in order to register a more effective bombardment in the enemy's defensive position, he unhesitatingly advanced uphill with the officer and another marine despite a slashing barrage of enemy mortar and rifle fire. As they reached the front and a Japanese grenade fell close within the group, instantly Pfc. Gonsalves dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby protecting the others from serious and perhaps fatal wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pfc. Gonsalves readily yielded his own chances of survival that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy, and his cool decision, prompt action, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service.