Harold Christ AGERHOLM
Birth: Jan. 29, 1925
Death: Jul. 7, 1944
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served during World War II in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a Private First Class in the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery on Saipan in the Marianas Islands on July 7, 1944. His citation reads “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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”. Private Agerholm was only 19 years of age. In September 1945 the US Navy launched the “USS Agerholm” (DD-826), a Destroyer named after Harold C. Agerholm. The warship would serve in the Korean War, garnering 4 Battle Stars, and in the Viet Nam War, where it received 8 Battle Stars. It was decommissioned in 1978.
Cause of death: Killed In Action

Burial:  Mound Cemetery, Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA
(bio by: Russ Dodge) Submitted by Deborah Crowell