*EPPERSON, HAROLD GLENN
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Born: 14 July 1923, Akron, Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in
action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas, on 25 June
1944. With his machinegun emplacement bearing the full brunt of a fanatic assault
initiated by the Japanese under cover of predawn darkness, Pfc. Epperson manned his weapon
with determined aggressiveness, fighting furiously in the defense of his battalion's
position and maintaining a steady stream of devastating fire against rapidly infiltrating
hostile troops to aid materially in annihilating several of the enemy and in breaking the
abortive attack. Suddenly a Japanese soldier, assumed to be dead, sprang up and hurled a
powerful hand grenade into the emplacement. Determined to save his comrades, Pfc. Epperson
unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, diving upon the deadly missile, absorbed
the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body. Stouthearted and
indomitable in the face of certain death, Pfc. Epperson fearlessly yielded his own life
that his able comrades might carry on the relentless battle against a ruthless enemy. His
superb valor and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon
himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
