Private First Class John D. Magrath, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on April 14, 1945 near Castel d'Aiano, Italy during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company G, 85th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division. Magrath was 20 years old.
Magrath was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Magrath was born on July 4, 1924 in East Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Norwalk, Connecticut. His medal is held by Fort Drum Post Gymnasium, Fort Drum, NY.
Magrath is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 57 credited to Connecticut.
Official Medal of Honor citation
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty when his company was pinned down by heavy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, near Castel d'Aiano, Italy. Volunteering to act as 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 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 knelt 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. Pfc. Magrath fearlessly volunteered again to brave the shelling in order to collect a report of casualties. Heroically carrying out this task, he made the supreme sacrifice a climax to the valor and courage that are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (April 14, 1945).
- Age at death: 20
- Resting place: Riverside Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Norwalk High School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Connecticut →
Timeline
- July 4, 1924Born in East Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut
- April 14, 1945Act of valor — near Castel d'Aiano, ItalyAge 20. Company G, 85th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division Killed in action.
- Resting placeRiverside CemeteryNorwalk, Connecticut
Biography
John David Magrath (July 4, 1924 – April 14, 1945) was a soldier in the U.S. Army who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during World War II for actions occurring in Italy on April 14, 1945. He served in the 10th Mountain Division. The Shea-Magrath Sports Complex at Norwalk High School in Connecticut is named for him. In June 1995, Fort Drum, New York renamed its Soldiers Sports Complex the Magrath Sports Complex. A plaque and portrait are in display Magrath Gym to honor his memory. In August 2013 the dedication of a monument and plaque in his honor was placed at the location of the battle by residents of Castel d'Aiano.
From the Wikipedia article “John D. Magrath”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
