Harry R. Harr

Infobox Military Person
name=Harry R. Harr
born=birth date|1921|2|22
died=death date and age|1945|6|5|1921|2|22
placeofbirth=Pine Croft, Pennsylvania
placeofdeath=near Maglamin, Mindanao, the Philippines
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Corporal
commands=
unit=124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division
battles=World War II
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Harry R. Harr (February 22, 1921 – June 5, 1945) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Biography

Harr joined the Army from East Freedom, Pennsylvania, and by June 5, 1945 was serving as a Corporal in Company D, 124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division. On that day, near Maglamin, Mindanao, the Philippines, he smothered the blast of a Japanese-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on March 28, 1946.

Harr, aged 24 at his death, was buried in Alto Reste Burial Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

Corporal Harr's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed in on his machinegun emplacement, hurling hand grenades, 1 of which exploded under the gun, putting it out of action and wounding 2 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 4 of his comrades and enabled them to continue their mission.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

*findagrave|7244543 Retrieved on 2008-01-31

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (G-L)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-g-l.html
accessdate = 2008-01-31

Persondata
NAME= Harr, Harry R.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= February 22, 1921
PLACE OF BIRTH= Pine Croft, Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH= June 5, 1945
PLACE OF DEATH= near Maglamin, Mindanao, the Philippines