Hometown: Alameda, CA
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division
Military Honors: Medal of Honor, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: April 15, 1945 - KIA on Okinawa Island
Age: 19
Conflict: World War II, 1939-1945

As a high school student in Alameda, California, Harold Gonsalves sang tenor in the Glee Club and was a multi-sport athlete—participating in football, baseball, track, and swimming. He dropped out of high school during the middle of his junior year to start a job as a stock clerk with Montgomery Ward and Company in nearby Oakland.

Gonalves’ hometown of Alameda is just south of Oakland, on the San Francisco Bay. The Alameda Works Shipyard helped to build up America’s Navy leading up to World War II (1939-1945).

America’s direct involvement in the war was well underway when Gonsalves enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves in May of 1943, at age 17. With the war effort in the Pacific building, it didn’t take long for Gonsalves to be called to active duty on June 17.

Pvt. Gonsalves was sent for training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and he later requested and was granted permission to join the new Marine Corps Raiders battalions at Camp Pendleton, California.

He was transferred to the artillery at Pendleton, and assigned as a cannoneer with the 30th Replacement Battalion in the fall of 1943. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, “Artillery battalions were rarely on the front lines of the battle during World War II, but cannon units often found themselves in line with the infantrymen directly facing the enemy.”

In November of 1943, Pvt. Gosalves was shipped to the Pacific theater with the 2nd Pack Howitzer Battalion, stationed in Hawaii. By March of 1944, Govsalves was promoted to the rank of private first class, and in May his battalion became part of the 22nd Marines.

With the 22nd Marines, PFC Gonsalves took part in successful campaigns to capture and occupy Engebi and Parry Islands, in the Marshall Islands. Meeting stiff Japanese resistance, Gonsalves’ unit contributed to American victories at Kwajalein, Guadalcanal, Eniwetok, and Guam.

After liberating the island of Guam from Japanese control, Gonsalves’ 4th Battalion returned to Guadalcanal, where in November they were reassigned to the 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division. On April 1, 1945, his unit landed on the isolated island of Okinawa in support of Operation Iceberg. An Allied victory at Okinawa would clear the way for a final invasion of Japan.

On Okinawa, PFC Gonsalves was part of an eight-man forward observation team. He and two other Marines were tasked with laying telephone lines to facilitate communication with the artillery battalion behind them. As they moved toward the front, the three came under intense enemy rifle, grenade, and mortar fire.

PFC Gonsolves’ courageous actions on that day are captured in his Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as acting scout sergeant with the 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 15 April 1945. Undaunted by the powerfully organized opposition encountered on Motobu Peninsula during the fierce assault waged by his battalion against the Japanese stronghold at Mount Yaetake, Pfc. Gonsalves repeatedly braved the terrific enemy bombardment to aid his forward observation team in directing well-placed artillery fire.

When his commanding officer determined to move into the front lines in order to register a more effective bombardment in the enemy’s defensive position, he unhesitatingly advanced uphill with the officer and another marine despite a slashing barrage of enemy mortar and rifle fire. As they reached the front and a Japanese grenade fell close within the group, instantly Pfc. Gonsalves dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby protecting the others from serious and perhaps fatal wounds.

Stouthearted and indomitable, Pfc. Gonsalves readily yielded his own chances of survival that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy, and his cool decision, prompt action, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service.

The successful but costly Battle of Okinawa was the last major battle of World War II. It took from April 1 to June 22, 1945, for American Joint Forces to secure the island. By seizing control of Okinawa, the Allies successfully blocked Japanese supply lanes in the East China Sea, isolating all southern islands that were still controlled by Japan.

Private First Class Harold Gonsalves was laid to rest with full military honors at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California—across the San Francisco Bay from his hometown.

On June 19, 1946, PFC Gonsalves’ family was presented with his Medal of Honor at a ceremony in San Francisco, California. In 1958, the U.S. Marine Corps named Camp Gonsalves Jungle Warfare Training Center in Higashi, Okinawa, Japan in his honor.

Sources
Marine Corps University: Private First Class Harold Gonsalves, USMCR (Deceased)
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service: Marine Corps Heroes: Pfc. Harold Gonsalves
U.S. Department of Defense, Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Pfc. Harold Gonsalves
The History Channel: Battle of Okinawa
The National WWII Museum: Battle of Okinawa
Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Harold Gonsalves
HonorStates.org: Harold Gonsalves
Burial Site: Find a Grave