Harold Gonsalves was born in Alameda, California back in 1926. He attended school at Alameda, quitting after just 2.5 years to take a job as a stock clerk with Montgomery Ward in Oakland. When he was old enough he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. He was sent to the Marine Raiders at Camp Pendleton, California.
After a brief three weeks, he was transferred to the artillery division, classified as a cannoneer on 75 and 105 millimeter guns. He was transferred to Hawaii in 1943, promoted to private first class in 1944. He saw action in the Marshall Island. He landed on Okinawa in 1945, directing artillery fire in support of the Japanese position on Motobu Penninsula.
He was assigned to a scouting team when the team came under heavy enemy fire. When the team reached their goal, a Japanese grenade landed at their feet, without hesitation he threw himself on the grenade. For his action, he was awarded the Medal of honor, posthumously.
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