Medal of Honor: John Meagher – World War II – June 19, 1945
On Okinawa, one technical sergeant climbed onto a tank to direct its fire under heavy enemy fire. After stopping a suicide attack with his bayonet, he rose from unconsciousness and launched a one-man assault that shattered the defense.
June 19, 2026
Name: John Meagher
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company E, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 19, 1945
Location: Near Ozato, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands
Summary of Action
On 19 June 1945, during the bitter fighting on Okinawa, Technical Sergeant John Meagher displayed extraordinary heroism while leading his men against heavily fortified Japanese positions near Ozato.
As the attack developed, Meagher climbed onto an assault tank and, despite enemy bullets striking all around him, exposed himself to direct hostile fire while identifying targets for the tank's gunner.
Suddenly, he spotted a Japanese soldier sprinting toward the vehicle carrying an explosive charge intended for its tracks.
After shouting fire commands to the gunner, Meagher immediately jumped from the tank and met the attacker head-on, killing him with his bayonet before the explosives could be employed.
The violent encounter knocked Meagher unconscious and destroyed his rifle.
When he regained consciousness moments later, he refused to withdraw.
Instead, he seized a machine gun from the assault tank and launched a determined one-man attack against the enemy defenses.
Firing from the hip while advancing through intense crossfire that tore through his clothing, he charged directly toward the nearest Japanese pillbox.
His aggressive assault killed six enemy defenders and silenced the position.
Without pausing, Meagher pressed onward toward a second fortified gun emplacement amid a relentless barrage of bullets and grenades.
His ammunition ran out just as he reached the enemy position.
Undeterred, he gripped the empty machine gun by its barrel and used it as a club, violently attacking the defenders and killing the crew in close combat.
His fearless assaults completely broke the enemy's resistance at the critical point of the attack, enabling his platoon to seize its objective and continue the advance across Okinawa.
Technical Sergeant John Meagher's extraordinary courage, determination, and aggressive leadership reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
MEAGHER, JOHN
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 305th Infantry Regiment, 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 machine gun from the tank, and began a furious one-man assault on the enemy. Firing from his hip, moving through vicious crossfire that ripped through his clothing, he charged the nearest pillbox, killing six. 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 Technical Sergeant Meagher single-handedly broke the enemy resistance, enabling his platoon to take its objective and continue the advance.
