Paul F. Riordan

He led the attack on Cassino’s fortified jailhouse

Paul F. Riordan was born at Charles City, Iowa, on 8 November 1920. He entered military service in 1940 and trained with the Iowa National Guard. He served in the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, and became a second lieutenant before the fighting at Cassino, Italy.

On 3 February 1944, his platoon was attacking Hill 175 on the approaches to the town. Machine-gun fire from the hill and a nearby pillbox stopped its movement. Riordan exposed himself to the enemy gunners to reach a position from which he could attack the pillbox.

Kneeling in the open, he threw a grenade approximately forty-five yards into the emplacement. It killed one defender, wounded two others and silenced the gun. Another American soldier then cleared further positions, allowing the company to take the hill.

On 8 February his platoon was ordered to capture the town's jailhouse, which had become another German strongpoint. Riordan again led the way and reached the building, but heavy fire prevented his men following. Finding himself isolated, he continued the attack alone. He killed at least two defenders before being killed by small-arms fire.

The Medal of Honor recognised both actions. Brigadier General William A. Campbell presented the posthumous decoration to his father in September 1944. Initially buried in Italy, Riordan's remains were returned to Missouri in 1948 and laid in the family plot at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Raytown. He was twenty-three when he died.