Jeep assists Medal of Honor Winner

Jeep assists Medal of Honor Winner, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

A Jeep 4x4 was instrumental in the heroic efforts of Private First Class Harold C. Agerholm, U.S. Marine Corps was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts in single-handedly evacuating 45 casualties in an abandoned Jeep ambulance.

Agerholm tirelessly re-entered the fray in his Willys MB under heavy fire for a three hour marathon mission.

This halftone reproduction of a photograph was copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 149.

Official copy reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944.

When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Private First Class Agerholm immediately volunteered to assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded.

Locating and appropriating an abandoned ambulance Jeep 4x4, he repeatedly made extremely perilous trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handledly loaded and evacuted approximately 45 casualities, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own safety during a gruelling period of more than 3 hours.

Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid two men whom he believed to be wounded Marines but was himself mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper while carrying out his hazardous mission.

Private First Class 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 United States Naval Service.

He gallantly gave his life for his country."

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Jacklyn Lucas Medal of Honor in Jeep

Jacklyn Lucas Medal of Honor in Jeep, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Private first Class Jacklyn H. Lewis of the U.S. Marine Corps - was awarded the Medal of Honor for pulling two grenades under his body to protect his fellow soldiers.

Read more of his exploits at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacklyn_H._Lucas

Jacklyn waves from the back seat of a Willys MB Jeep 4x4 as he leaves LaGuardia Airport for Nimitz Day celebrations in New York City, New York on 9 October 1945.

Photo #: NH 103870.

Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.