Pacific Historic Parks - American Memorial Park

Victoria I. Benavente © 2024 Pacific Historic Parks. All Rights Reserved. | State Disclosures Pacific Historic Parks is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization, Tax ID 99-0194501

: PFC Harold Agerholm, born January 29, 1925, in Racine, Wisconsin, joined the Marine Corps Reserve on July 16, 1942. After training in San Diego, he was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battery, 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, and sent to New Zealand for more training.

In November 1943, he was sent to fight on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, and then to Hawaii to train for the upcoming invasion of Saipan in the Marianas Islands. Harold arrived in Saipan on June 15, 1944. Three weeks into intense fighting, the Japanese launched a counter attack on July 7, 1944, that led to many casualties. Harold offered to help rescue the wounded. Using a Jeep ambulance, he made constant trips for more than three hours under constant rifle and mortar fire, single-handedly evacuating 45 casualties. On his last trip, he ran out to help two men he believed to be wounded Marines but was himself hit and killed by a Japanese sniper. He was 19 years old.

Harold was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions that day.

Join us tomorrow night at 6:00pm!
Don Farrell will be doing a talk on the Battle of Saipan in commemoration of the 80th anniversary.

Books written by Don Farrell will be available for purchase at our bookstore. We hope to see you there!

Join local historian and author Don A. Farrell as he launches his 12th book, "Seabees and Superforts at War - Tinian's Critical Role in the Ultimate Defeat of Japan," this Friday, March 15th, from 6-8pm at American Memorial Park! Don will show a power point presentation about his new book, and you'll have a chance to get your copy signed.

Find out more here: https://www.mvariety.com/lifestyle/local-historian-to-present-12th-book-on-friday-at-amp/article_6a9896ee-e07e-11ee-a9f2-df2ab96ff29a.html

Join us today, August 16, at 9:30AM HST for with Donna Vojvodich: https://bit.ly/PHPHistoryTalks_SPARS

Remember to join us on August 16th at 9:30AM HST for with Donna Vojvodich, historian for the SPARS Stories History Program!

Learn about the Coast Guard women who sent the men to sea, in this presentation about the SPARS, the women who contributed to the Allied victory by filling the shoreside jobs.

Zoom registration link: https://bit.ly/PHPHistoryTalks_SPARS

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: PHP History Talks | Donna Vojvodich. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Pacific Historic Parks History Talks Webinar Series is honored to present Donna Vojvodich, Historian, SPARS Stories History Program on the topic of the SPARS, the Coast Guard Women who sent the Men to war.

WWII veteran celebrates 77 years with the love of his life A World War II veteran, who is the last surviving member of Company B from Cohoes, is celebrating a special milestone — marriage to his wife of 77 years.

: Meet Ben L. Salomon, an Army dentist who served in the . His story is a tale of extraordinary bravery and selflessness.

Salomon graduated from dentistry school in 1937 and spent a few years as a dentist. In 1940, he joined the US Army infantry and became an expert shooter. He was also good at something else: giving his fellow servicemen free dental treatment. In 1942, he became an officer and joined the Army Dental Corp. Greatly admired by his fellow soldiers, he excelled at his job and quickly moved up in rank, becoming a captain in 1944.

In June of that year, Capt. Salomon was sent to the island of as part of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. Here he witnessed combat for the first time, working very close to the front line where casualty numbers were high. The Japanese offensive turned into a dire situation for the American troops, and Capt. Salomon was ordered to evacuate. However, he refused to leave his patients behind.

During the fight, the Japanese overran the field hospital where he was working. Despite being armed with only a pistol, he rushed to defend his patients and staff, continuing to treat wounded soldiers in the midst of it all. Finally, Capt. Salomon used a machine gun against the advancing Japanese soldiers, killing dozens of the enemy. He succeeded in holding them off long enough for the remaining medical personnel and wounded to evacuate.

Unfortunately, he could not save himself. When American forces regained control, they found his body with a machine gun in hand. He’d been shot 76 times. It is believed he fought through his wounds until he was finally overwhelmed.

Capt. Salomon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on May 1, 2002, his story standing as a powerful reminder of the valor and dedication displayed by countless American servicemen and women during World War II.

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