John D. Magrath

Infobox Military Person
name= John D. Magrath
born= birth date|1924|7|4findagrave|7841533 Retrieved on 2008-08-27]
died= death date and age|1945|4|14|1924|7|4
placeofbirth= East Norwalk, Connecticut
placeofdeath= KIA near Castel d'Aiano, Italy
placeofburial= Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= flagicon|US United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears=
rank= Private First Class
commands=
unit= Company G, 2nd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Divisioncite web|url=http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/about/hist-10mtn.asp|title=Fort Drum, New York • 10th Mountain Division History|accessdate=2008-08-27]
battles= World War II
awards= Medal of Honor
laterwork=

John D. Magrath was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during World War II for actions occurring in Italy on April 14, 1945. He served in the 10th Mountain Division.cite web|title=Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (M-S)|url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-m-s.html|accessdate=2008-08-28] 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 John D. Magrath Gymnasium. A plaque and portrait at Magrath Gym honor his memory.

Magrath was born in the East Norwalk section of Norwalk, Connecticut on July 4, 1924. He enrolled in the Army in East Norwalk. He was killed in action in Italy at age 20.

Medal of Honor citation

Private First Class Magrath's official Medal of Honor citation, awarded July 17, 1946, reads:

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 a scout, armed with only a rifle, he charged headlong into withering fire, killing 2 Germans and wounding 3 in order to capture a machinegun. Carrying this enemy weapon across an open field through heavy fire, he neutralized 2 more machinegun nests; he then circled behind 4 other Germans, killing them with a burst as they were firing on his company. Spotting another dangerous enemy position to this right, he knelt with the machinegun in his arms and exchanged fire with the Germans until he had killed 2 and wounded 3. 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 highest traditions of the military service.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
*Spring 1945 offensive in Italy

References

Persondata
NAME= Magrath, John D.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
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DATE OF DEATH=
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