b. 04/07/1924 East Norwalk, Connecticut. d. 14/04/1945 near Castel D’Aiano, Italy.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 14/04/1945 near Castel D’Aiano, Italy.
John D Magrath MOH
Magrath was born in the East Norwalk section of Norwalk, Connecticut on July 4, 1924. He enlisted in the Army from East Norwalk in March 1943. He was killed in action in Italy at age 20.
He served in the 110th Mountain Division. The Shea-Magrath Sports Complex at Norwalk High School in Connecticut is named for him. In June 1995, Fort Drum, New York renamed its Soldiers Sports Complex the Magrath Sports Complex. A plaque and portrait are in display Magrath Gym to honour his memory.
In August 2013 the dedication of a monument and plaque in his honour was placed at the location of the battle by residents of Castel d’Aiano. PFC John D. Magrath is the first Medal of Honor recipient of the 10th Mountain Division.
MOH CITATION:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty when his company was pinned down by heavy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, near Castel d’Aiano, Italy. Volunteering to act as scout, armed with only a rifle, he charged headlong into withering fire, killing two Germans and wounding three in order to capture a machine gun. Carrying this weapon across an open field through heavy fire, he neutralized two more machine-gun nests; he then circled behind four other Germans, killing them with a burst as they were firing on his company. Spotting another dangerous enemy position to his right, he knelt with the machine gun in his arms and exchanged fire with the Germans until he had killed two and wounded three. The enemy now poured increased mortar and artillery fire on the company’s newly won position. Pfc. Magrath fearlessly volunteered again to brave the shelling in order to collect a report of casualties. Heroically carrying out this task, he made the supreme sacrifice a climax to the valor and courage that are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
BURIAL LOCATION: RIVERSIDE CEMETERY, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT.
SECTION 20, PLOT 185.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FORT DRUM POST GYMNASIUM, FORT DRUM, NEW YORK.
