Born: January 29, 1925
War: World War II
Rank: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Location of Action: Saipan, Marianas Islands
Date of Action: July 7, 1944
Official Medal of Honor Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the
4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944.
When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and
overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Pfc. Agerholm immediately volunteered to
assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded. Locating
and appropriating an abandoned ambulance jeep, he repeatedly made extremely perilous
trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handedly loaded and evacuated
approximately 45 casualties, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own
safety during a grueling period of more than 3 hours.
Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid 2 men whom he believed to be
wounded marines but was himself mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper while carrying out
his hazardous mission. Pfc. Agerholm's brilliant initiative, great personal valor and
self-sacrificing efforts in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit
upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.
HAROLD CHRIST AGERHOLM
