Harry R. Harr Explained

Harry R. Harr
Birth Date:22 February 1921
Birth Place:Pinecroft, Pennsylvania, US
Death Place:near Maglamin, Mindanao, the Philippines
Placeofburial:Alto Reste Burial Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Placeofburial Label:Place of burial
Allegiance:United States of America
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:1942 - 1945
Rank:Corporal
Servicenumber:33256924 [1]
Unit:124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division
Battles:World War II
Awards:Medal of Honor

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.

Biography

Harr joined the Army from East Freedom, Pennsylvania in November 1942,[2] and by June 5, 1945, was 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 on March 28, 1946.

Harr, age 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.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=4&tf=F&q=harry+harr&bc=&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=3737963&rlst=3737963,4045367,4397066,4417282 WWII Army Enlistment Records
  2. https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=4&tf=F&q=harry+harr&bc=&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=3737963&rlst=3737963,4045367,4397066,4417282 WWII Army Enlistment Records