MOH

Medal of Honor: John D. Magrath – World War II – April 14, 1945

When his company was trapped under crushing fire in the mountains of Italy, he asked to go forward alone. Armed only with a rifle, he attacked until the enemy line began to collapse.

April 28, 2026

Name: John D. Magrath
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company G, 85th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division
Date of Action: April 14, 1945
Location: Near Castel d’Aiano, Italy

Summary of Action

On 14 April 1945, Private First Class John D. Magrath distinguished himself near Castel d’Aiano, Italy.

His company had been pinned down by heavy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire.

Volunteering to serve as a scout, Magrath moved forward armed only with a rifle.

Charging directly into withering enemy fire, he killed two German soldiers and wounded three more, then captured their machine gun.

Seizing the enemy weapon, he carried it across an open field swept by fire.

Using the captured gun, he destroyed two additional machine-gun nests that threatened his company.

Continuing the attack, he maneuvered behind four more enemy soldiers and killed them with a burst of fire while they were engaging American troops.

Spotting another dangerous position to his right, Magrath knelt in the open with the machine gun in his arms and exchanged fire with the defenders.

He killed two more enemy soldiers and wounded three others.

Though the immediate threat had been broken, the enemy then concentrated increased mortar and artillery fire on the company’s newly gained ground.

Once again volunteering for danger, Magrath moved through the shelling to gather a report of casualties.

While carrying out this mission, he was killed.

His fearless aggression, repeated self-sacrifice, and devotion to his comrades reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

MAGRATH, JOHN D.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 85th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division.
Place and date: Near Castel d’Aiano, Italy, 14 April 1945.
Entered service at: East Norwalk, Conn.
Birth: East Norwalk, Conn.
G.O. No.: 71, 17 July 1946.

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 a scout, armed with only a rifle, he charged headlong into withering fire, killing 2 Germans and wounding 3 in order to capture a machinegun. Carrying this enemy weapon across an open field through heavy fire, he neutralized 2 more machinegun nests; he then circled behind 4 other Germans, killing them with a burst as they were firing on his company. Spotting another dangerous enemy position to this right, he knelt with the machinegun in his arms and exchanged fire with the Germans until he had killed 2 and wounded 3. 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 highest traditions of the military service.