The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
MEAGHER, JOHN
Rank and Organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S.
Army, Company E, 305th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and Date Near Ozato,
Okinawa, 19 June 1945. Entered Service at: Jersey City, N.J. Birth: Jersey
City, N.J. G.O. No.: 60, 26 June 1946.
Citation:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. In
the heat of the fight, he mounted an assault tank, and, with bullets splattering about
him, designated targets to the gunner. Seeing an enemy soldier carrying an explosive
charge dash for the tank treads, he shouted fire orders to the gunner, leaped from the
tank, and bayoneted the charging soldier. Knocked unconscious and his rifle destroyed, he
regained consciousness, secured a machinegun from the tank, and began a furious 1-man
assault on the enemy. Firing from his hip, moving through vicious crossfire that ripped
through his clothing, he charged the nearest pillbox, killing 6. Going on amid the hail of
bullets and grenades, he dashed for a second enemy gun, running out of ammunition just as
he reached the position. He grasped his empty gun by the barrel and in a violent onslaught
killed the crew. By his fearless assaults T/Sgt. Meagher single-handedly broke the enemy
resistance, enabling his platoon to take its objective and continue the advance.
|
