Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Company H, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation:
John Granado, 39230362, Corporal, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 8 February 1944 in the vicinity of Carroceto, Italy. Corporal Granado, with an automatic rifle team was manning an outpost on a high knoll approximately 50 yards to the right of his company's right flank, when an enemy counterattack isolated his company from the rest of the battalion. His company received the order for withdrawal to a new defensive position. Corporal Granado elected to remain in his outpost position by himself, continuing to fire on the onrushing enemy with his Browning Automatic Rifle. In doing so, he drew heavy enemy fire on his position, thereby enabling his company to withdraw to its new defensive position without the loss of a man. Corporal Granado's decision to remain in his perilous position, in utter disregard for his own life, was heroic and contributed materially to the later success of his unit. Entered service from Richmond, California.