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Casualty Info
Home Town New York City
Last Address New York City
Casualty Date Mar 16, 1945
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Japan
Conflict World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Western Pacific Campaign (1944-45)/Battle of Iwo Jima
Location of Interment National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (VA) - Honolulu, Hawaii
Felled by enemy machine gun fire on 16 March, as he led a smashing drive against a heavily-fortified Japanese installation. On he Vocano Islands.
Comments/Citation:
Silver Star Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Harry Nicholas Amato (MCSN: 474384), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Group Leader in Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 21 February to 16 March 1945. Sustaining painful leg wounds under the enemy's intense mortar and artillery barrages on the night of 21 February, Corporal Amato steadfastly refused evacuation and dauntlessly led his group in a series of hand-to-hand struggles with the Japanese. Evacuated on the following day, he returned to the battle front within the week to fight relentlessly against obstinate hostile resistance until wounded for the second time while leading a determined assault. An indomitable fighter, he was back in the thick of battle two days later and continued to wage a bitter offensive despite the desperate odds. Felled by enemy machine gun fire on 16 March, as he led a smashing drive against a heavily-fortified Japanese installation, Corporal Amato, by his inspiring leadership and sustained aggressiveness throughout critical stages of the action, had contributed materially to the effectiveness of his company's operations against this vital outpost of the Japanese Empire, and his outstanding valor in the face of great personal danger upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
