Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class (Marine)

Unit:

2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division "Fighting Fourth", U.S. Marine Corps

Awarded on:

September 6th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Detachment

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Radio Operator of an Artillery Liaison Party, serving with Headquarters and Service Battery, Second Battalion, Fourteenth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 8 March 1945. When overwhelming numbers of the hostile enemy infiltrated our front lines and prepared to launch a final desperate pre-dawn attack against the company command post, Private First Class Tallarico remained steadfast and calm despite the extreme peril, rendering invaluable assistance to his liaison officer in locating the mortar and rocket fire and transmitting information of the enemy's position by radio in the early phase of the fierce action. With the front line situation rapidly becoming more acute as the Japanese continued to lay down their vicious barrages from concealed positions and with the command post unable to function properly under the deadly fire he rapidly filled his pockets with grenades and crawled to the top of a knoll in a valiant attempt to draw the fire to himself and locate the emplacements. Fatally struck down when the enemy detected him and opened fire, Private First Class Tallarico, by his intrepid courage, outstanding fortitude and grave concern for others in the face of almost certain death, had enabled his comrades to annihilate the attackers and restore a strong line of defense. His self-sacrificing devotion to duty throughout the bitter onslaught reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Tallarico and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Posthumously awarded