"As a member of the machine gun section, he displayed extreme gallantry
and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty . When a Japanese sniper
rose from his foxhole to throw a grenade into their midst, this valiant
soldier charged and killed the enemy with a burst from his sub-machine gun;
then, by delivering sustained fire from his personal arm and
simultaneously directing the fire of 105mm and .50 caliber weapons upon
the enemy pillboxes immobilizing this and another machine gun section,
he enabled them to put their guns into action. When 2 infantry companies
established a bridgehead,
he voluntarily assisted in evacuating the wounded under heavy fire; and
then, securing an abandoned vehicle, transported casualties to the rear
through mortar and artillery
fire so intense as to render the vehicle inoperative and despite the
fact he was suffering from a painful wound. The following day he again
volunteered, this time for the hazardous job of repairing a bridge under
heavy enemy fire. On 14 May 1945, when leading a patrol to evacuate
casualties from his battalion, which was cut off, he ran through a
virtual hail of Japanese fire to secure an abandoned machine gun. Though
mortally wounded as he reached the gun, he succeeded in drawing
sufficient fire upon himself so that the remaining members of the patrol
could reach safety. Pfc. Diamond's indomitable spirit, constant
disregard of danger, and eagerness to assist his comrades, will ever
remain a symbol of selflessness and heroic sacrifice to those for whom
he gave his life."
From PFC Diamond's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on March 6, 1946.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
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