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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Corporal Anthony P. Damato, USMC, (1922-1944)
Anthony Peter Damato was born on 28 March 1922 in Shenandoah,
Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from that same
state and served during the Second World War. After training,
he received orders to Derry, Northern Ireland. While in Ireland,
he volunteered for duty in the North African landings and helped
to seize the port of Arzeau, Algeria. For his meritorious conduct
in that action, he was advanced in rank. In March 1943, he returned
to the United States and in the Summer departed for duty in the
Pacific.
On 19-20 February 1944, Damato served with an assault company
from the Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, Fifth Amphibious
Corps and participated in battle against enemy forces on Engebi
Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. While in a foxhole with
two other Marines during the night, an undetected enemy approached
them and threw in a grenade. Realizing the imminent danger, Damato
pulled the grenade to him and absorbed the blast, sacrificing
himself while saving his comrades. For his "conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded
the Medal of Honor. During
his time in the U.S. Marine Corps, he was promoted to the rank
of Corporal. Anthony P. Damato is buried at the National Memorial
Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Hawaii.
USS Damato (DD-781), 1946-1980, was named in honor of
Corporal Anthony P. Damato.
This page features the only image we have concerning Anthony
P. Damato.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 105856
Corporal Anthony P. Damato, USMC
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 171.
Anthony P. Damato was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, Fifth Amphibious Corps during battle against the Japanese on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands on 19-20 February 1944. When an undetected enemy approached his foxhole and threw in a grenade, Damato covered it with his body and absorbed the blast, sacrificing himself to save his comrades.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 67KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105933
Corporal Anthony P. Damato, USMC
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, Fifth Amphibious Corps during battle against the Japanese on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands on 19-20 February 1944. When an undetected enemy approached his foxhole and threw in a grenade, Damato covered it with his body and absorbed the blast, sacrificing himself while saving his comrades.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center
Online Image: 64B; 590 x 765 pixels
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Medal of Honor citation of Corporal Anthony P. Damato, USMC.
(as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor,
1861-1949, The Navy", page 171):
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with
an assault company in action against enemy Japanese forces on
Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, on the night
of 19-20 February 1944. Highly vulnerable to sudden attack by
small, fanatical groups of Japanese still at large despite the
efficient and determined efforts of our forces to clear the area,
Corporal Damato lay with two comrades in a large foxhole in his
company's perimeter which had been dangerously thinned by the
forced withdrawal of nearly half of the available men. When one
of the enemy approached the foxhole undetected and threw in a
hand grenade, Corporal Damato desperately groped for it in the
darkness. Realizing the imminent peril to all three and fully
aware of the consequences of his act, he unhesitatingly flung
himself on the grenade and, although instantly killed as his
body absorbed the explosion, saved the lives of his two companions.
Corporal Damato's splendid initiative, fearless conduct and valiant
sacrifice reflect great credit upon himself and the United States
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades." |
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Page made 16 June 2008
New image added 20 July 2008
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