Agerholm, Harold C.
Private First Class Harold C. Agerholm, USMCR, (1925-1944)
Harold Christ Agerholm was born on 29 January 1925 in Racine, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve from that state in July 1942. After completing basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, he was assigned to Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, Second Marine Division. In January 1943, while stationed with his unit in New Zealand, Agerholm was promoted to Private First Class. In November, he participated in the fierce fighting on Betio Island during the Battle of Tarawa.
His second combat operation began in mid-June 1944, when he landed on Saipan, in the Marianas. On 7 July 1944, when Japanese forces counter-attacked and captured a neighboring position, Agerholm immediately volunteered to help evacuate the wounded . For three hours, he made repeated trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire, single-handedly evacuating approximately 45 casualities. Rushing to help what he thought were other wounded Marines, he was mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper. For his "conspicious gallantry and intrepidity," he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Harold C. Agerholm is buried at Mount Cemetery, Racine, Wisconsin.
USS Agerholm (DD-826), 1946-1982, was named in honor of Private First Class Harold C. Agerholm.
This page features the only image we have concerning Harold C. Agerholm.
