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Photo # NH 105856:  Corporal Anthony P. Damato, USMC

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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.


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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

 
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

 



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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 16 June 2008
New image added 20 July 2008