*AGERHOLM, HAROLD CHRIST
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 29 January 1925, Racine, Wis. Accredited
to: Wisconsin.
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. He gallantly gave his life for his
country.
