"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as an automatic rifleman serving with the 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands on
22 July 1944. Suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy machine guns not more
than 15 yards away while clearing out hostile positions holding up the
advance of his platoon through a narrow gully, Pfc. Mason, alone and
entirely on his own initiative, climbed out of the gully and moved
parallel to it toward the rear of the enemy position. Although fired
upon immediately by hostile riflemen from a higher position and wounded
repeatedly in the arm and shoulder, Pfc. Mason grimly pressed forward
and had just reached his objective when hit again by a burst of enemy
machine gun fire, causing a critical wound to which he later succumbed. With valiant disregard for his own peril, he persevered, clearing out
the hostile position, killing 5 Japanese, wounding another and then
rejoining his platoon to report the results of his action before
consenting to be evacuated. His exceptionally heroic act in the face of
almost certain death enabled his platoon to accomplish its mission and
reflects the highest credit upon Pfc. Mason and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
From PFC Mason's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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