Tripti Joshi (Editor)

Harry R Harr

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Years of service
  
1942 - 1945

Died
  
June 5, 1945

Name
  
Harry Harr

Battles/wars
  
World War II

Battles and wars
  
World War II

Rank
  
Corporal

Awards
  
Medal of Honor


Born
  
February 22, 1921 Pinecroft, Pennsylvania (
1921-02-22
)

Unit
  
124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division

Allegiance
  
United States of America

Service/branch
  
United States Army

Harry R. Harr (February 22, 1921 – June 5, 1945) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Contents

Biography

Harr joined the Army from East Freedom, Pennsylvania in November 1942, and by June 5, 1945 was serving as a Corporal in Company D, 124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division. On that day, near Maglamin, Mindanao, the Philippines, he smothered the blast of a Japanese-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on March 28, 1946.

Harr, aged 24 at his death, was buried in Alto Reste Burial Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

Corporal Harr's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed in on his machinegun emplacement, hurling hand grenades, 1 of which exploded under the gun, putting it out of action and wounding 2 of the crew. While the remaining gunners were desperately attempting to repair their weapon another grenade landed squarely in the emplacement. Quickly realizing he could not safely throw the unexploded missile from the crowded position, Cpl. Harr unhesitatingly covered it with his body to smother the blast. His supremely courageous act, which cost him his life, saved 4 of his comrades and enabled them to continue their mission.

References

Harry R. Harr Wikipedia