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593314239
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Medal of Honor Citation
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doc
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document
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naId
593314239
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day
29
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1946-04-29
month
4
year
1946
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nara-archive
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1
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photo
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0df36325329a2c9a
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869 Hm 357-2 4 The President of the United States takes pride in awarding the MEDAL of HONOR posthumously to # PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN D. MAGRATH, COMPANY G, 85th INFANTRY UNITED STATES ARMY for service as set forth in the following CITATION: "Private Magrath, radio operator, Company G, 85th Infantry, on 14 April 1945 displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty when his company was pinned down by heavy artillery, mortar and smallarms fire, near Castel d'Aiano, Italy. Volunteering to act as a 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 enemy 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 kneeled 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. Private Magrath fearlessly volunteered again to brave the shelling in order to collect a report of casualties. Heroicly carrying out this task, he made the supreme sacrifice a climax to valor and courage that are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service." Copy For The White House HARRY S. TRUMAN APR 29 1946 Netstable was 4/30/46