Bio: Anthony P. Damato, Schuylkill County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jay Zane
jrzane@bigfoot.com


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                              DAMATO

        When the destroyer USS DAMATO slid down the ways of the Bethlehem Steel
Company's yards at Staten Island on November 21, 1945, its name reflected
one of the most heroic acts of any Schuylkill County winner of the
Congressional Medal of Honor.

        Corporal Anthony P. Damato, 21, of Shenandoah, died in a foxhole on Engibi
Island in the Marshalls Group in the SOuth Pacific on the night of Feb. 19,
1944, by throwing himself upon a Japanese-tossed hand grenade to save the
lives of two comrades.

        But when his mother, Mrs. Frances Damato, smashed the traditional bottle
of champagne over the bow of the destroyer bearing her son's name, she was
already carrying the burder of the loss of another son, Captain Neil J.
Damato, an Air Force bombardier, who had been missing in action since
November, 1943.

        Neil had already been in the service when younger brother, Anthony,
enlisted in the Marines a month and a day after Pearl Harbor.

        Corporal Damato's story of heroism is told graphically in the Citation: 
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with an assault company of the
Second Battalion, 22nd Marines, Fifth Amphibious COrps, in action against
the enemy Japanese forces on Engibi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall
Islands, on the night of Feb. 19-20, 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 defense perimeter which had 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 unhesitantly 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 intiative, fearless conduct adn valiant
sacrifice reflect great credit upon himself and the US  Naval Service.  He
gallantly gave his life for his comrades."

        Damato was the 26th member of the Marine Corps to recieve the
Congressional Medal of Honor in World War II and the ninth enlisted man,
only two of which were alive at the time of the award of honor to him.  He
became Shenandoah's 23rd Gold Star of World War II.

        He was pronounced by his immediate commanding officer, Lt. Richard M.
Pfuhl, "the best Marine in my outfit."

        In making the supreme sacrifice he saved the lives of his two buddies,
Corporal Herman F. Dohms, Jr. and Pfc. George W. Gale.  It was reported
that the Japanese soldier who threw the grenade died immediately at the
hands of a US Marine.

        Mrs. Damato's health did not permit her to receive her son's award from
the President of the United States personally.  The presentation was made
April 9, 1945, in the Lincoln School Building, Shenandoah, by Brigadier
General Maurice C. Gregory, USMC, acting for the President.  Seven months
and twelve days lateer the USS DAMATO slid down the ways at Staten Island
to further memorialize this Schuylkill COunty hero.