Courtesy Photo | In recognition of Hispanic-American heritage month, we highlight World War II Medal of...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - In recognition of Hispanic-American heritage month, we highlight World War II Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Harold Gonsalves during World War II. Although there is no way to completely know how events unfolded on that hill in Okinawa in April 1945, we have used historical information about Gonsalves’ life to recreate his story of heroism and valor.
Pfc. Harold Gonsalves held onto his helmet as rounds kicked up the red Okinawan mud behind him. Amidst the chaos of Japanese mortar and small-arms fire, his team leader tried to make sense of what was coming through the SCR-536 handheld radio. Beside them, the automatic rifleman braced his back to the dirt wall, waiting for the dreaded orders to advance.
The team leader put the radio down and looked at the others, then looked up at the hill in front of them.
Gonsalves thought back to a nicer time in Alameda, California* when he was a simple clerk at Montgomery Ward and the pretty girl at his high school glee club*.
“Let’s go,” said the team leader.
The automatic rifleman mouthed a one-syllable profanity.
“Up the hill sir? That’s a long walk,” said Gonsalves wryly as he clutched his M1 carbine.
“Son, we’d be lucky if the Japanese don’t kill us before we get to the new OP (observation post),” said the team leader.
They spent several seconds choosing their new route up the hill. Then, with little hesitation, they jumped the berm staying as low as possible, rounds cracking by their heads and mortar fire exploding all around them.
Nearing the top of the hill, the team sought concealment behind thick undergrowth. They pulled out their maps, binoculars and radio.
“Crazy morning,” whispered the automatic rifleman as he looked at his binoculars with now broken lens. “Now what am I supposed to do with these?”
Gonsalves caught his breath and noted the cracked lens when he heard something small and metallic plop on the rocks beneath them.
It was a type 97 hand grenade, hissing and smoking between the three Marines.
Without hesitation Gonsalves threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the blast and saving his teammates*.
The outcome has become a part of history*.
---
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Acting Scout Sergeant of a Forward Observer Team, serving with Battery L, Fourth Battalion, Fifteenth Marines, Sixth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in Okinawa Shima in the Ryūkyū Chain, 15 April 1945. Undaunted by the powerfully organized opposition encountered on Motobu Peninsula during a fierce assault waged by a Marine infantry battalion against a Japanese strong-hold, Private First Class Gonsalves repeatedly braved the terrific hostile bombardment to aid his Forward Observation Team in directing well-placed artillery fire and, 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, unhesitatingly advanced uphill with the officer and another Marine despite a slashing barrage of enemy mortar and rifle fire. As they reached the front, a Japanese grenade fell close within the group. Instantly Private First Class 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, Private First Class Gonsalves readily yielded his own chances of survival that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against the fanatic Japanese 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 the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
*Source: United States Marine Corps, History Division, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HAROLD GONSALVES, USMCR https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who%27s%20Who/G-I/Gonsalves_H.aspx
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2014 00:11 |
| Story ID: | 146099 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Marine Corps Heroes: Pfc. Harold Gonsalves, by Cpl Shaltiel Dominguez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
