Medal of Honor: John Peter Fardy - World War II - May 7, 1945

Name: John Peter Fardy
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
War: World War II
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: May 7, 1945
Location: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands

Summary of Action

On 7 May 1945, Corporal John Peter Fardy distinguished himself during the brutal fighting on Okinawa.

Leading his squad in an advance against heavily fortified Japanese positions, Fardy and his Marines suddenly came under devastating small-arms fire from the front.

The enemy fire was intense.

Knowing his men were exposed, Fardy quickly maneuvered the squad into the relative cover of a nearby drainage ditch.

Moments later, a Japanese grenade landed directly among the Marines crowded inside the ditch.

There was no time to escape.

No time to throw it back.

Without hesitation, Fardy instantly threw himself onto the grenade.

The explosion was absorbed by his body.

His Marines survived.

In a single act of complete self-sacrifice, he willingly gave his own life so the men under his command could continue the fight.

His courage, leadership, and devotion to his fellow Marines reflected the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

FARDY, JOHN PETER

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a squad leader, serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945. When his squad was suddenly assailed by extremely heavy small arms fire from the front during a determined advance against strongly fortified, fiercely defended Japanese positions, Cpl. Fardy temporarily deployed his men along a nearby drainage ditch. Shortly thereafter, an enemy grenade fell among the marines in the ditch. Instantly throwing himself upon the deadly missile, Cpl. Fardy absorbed the exploding blast in his own body, thereby protecting his comrades from certain and perhaps fatal injuries. Concerned solely for the welfare of his men, he willingly relinquished his own hope of survival that his fellow marines might live to carry on the fight against a fanatic enemy. A stouthearted leader and indomitable fighter, Cpl. Fardy, by his prompt decision and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, had rendered valiant service, and his conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.