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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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World War II - U.S. Army

John William Meagher

Details
  • Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    2d Platoon, Company E, 2d Battalion, 305th Infantry,
    77th Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: June 19, 1945
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Ozato, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands
Citation

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. In the heat of the fight, he mounted an assault tank, and, with bullets splattering about him, designated targets to the gunner. Seeing an enemy soldier carrying an explosive charge dash for the tank treads, he shouted fire orders to the gunner, leaped from the tank, and bayonetted the charging soldier. Knocked unconscious and his rifle destroyed, he regained consciousness, secured a machine gun from the tank, and began a furious one-man assault on the enemy. Firing from his hip, moving through vicious crossfire that ripped through his clothing, he charged the nearest pillbox, killing six. Going on amid the hail of bullets and grenades, he dashed for a second enemy gun, running out of ammunition just as he reached the position. He grasped his empty gun by the barrel and in a violent onslaught killed the crew. By his fearless assault T/Sgt. Meagher singlehandedly broke the enemy resistance, enabling his platoon to take its objective and continue the advance.

Medal of Honor Recipient John W. Meagher
Medal of Honor Recipient John W. Meagher
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: June 14, 1946

    The White House (lawn), presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman

  • Born: December 5, 1917, Jersey City, Hudson County, NJ, United States
  • Died: April 14, 1996, Lyons, NJ, United States
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (64-1701), Arlington, VA, United States
 

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