b. 22/02/1921 Pine Croft, Pennsylvania. d. 05/06/1945 near Maglamin, Philippines.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/06/1945 near Maglamin, Philippines.
Harry R Harr MOH
Harry Raymond Harr was born February 22, 1921 in Pinecroft, the son of Clement and Izzetta Harr. In 1942, Harr joined the US Army rising to rank of Corporal in Company D, 124 Infantry Regiment, 31 Infantry Division. In 1945, during the final months of the war, Harr’s unit was fighting the Japanese in the Philippines. It was here on June 5, Harr would make the ultimate sacrifice.
The unit had engaged the enemy near Maglamin, Mindanao, in the Philippines. Harr was among a crew in a machine gun emplacement, when the Japanese Army attacked. When in range, the Japanese soldiers began throwing grenades at the machine gun emplacement. One of the grenades exploded beneath the machine gun which put it temporarily out of commission and wounding two of the crew.
As the remaining crew worked to fix the disabled machine gun, another grenade landed in the midst of the men. Without hesitation, Harr – realizing it could not be removed safely – jumped onto the grenade to smother the blast. His brave sacrifice saved the lives of his fellow crew members.
Harr was just twenty-four years old at the time of his death. He was returned to Blair County and buried in the peaceful grounds of Alto Reste Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and son.
Harr was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. On March 26, 1946, his wife, Mary, was presented with the medal. The citation reads: “He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed in on his machine-gun emplacement, hurling grenades, one of which exploded under the gun, putting it out of action and wounding two of the crew. While the remaining gunners were desperately attempting to repair their weapon, another grenade landed squarely in the emplacement. Quickly realizing he could not safely throw the unexploded missile from the crowded position, Cpl. Harr unhesitatingly covered it with his body to smother the blast. His supremely courageous act, which cost him his life, saved four of his comrades and enabled them to continue their mission.”
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Harr would also receive the Purple Heart. Some of the other military awards Harr received during his time in the service included: the World War II Victory Medal, the Marksmanship Badge, the Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
MOH CITATION:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed in on his machine-gun emplacement, hurling grenades, one of which exploded under the gun, putting it out of action and wounding two of the crew. While the remaining gunners were desperately attempting to repair their weapon, another grenade landed squarely in the emplacement. Quickly realizing he could not safely throw the unexploded missile from the crowded position, Cpl. Harr unhesitatingly covered it with his body to smother the blast. His supremely courageous act, which cost him his life, saved four of his comrades and enabled them to continue their mission.
BURIAL LOCATION: ALTO RESTE BURIAL PARK, ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION C, LOT 190.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
