Anthony P. Damato

Anthony Peter Damato
Anthony P. Damato, Medal of Honor recipient
Born	(1922-03-22)March 22, 1922 Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
Died	February 20, 1944(1944-02-20) (aged 21) KIA, Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1942-1944
Rank	Corporal
Unit	2nd Battalion 22nd Marines
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Medal of Honor (1944) Purple Heart

Corporal Anthony Peter Damato (March 22, 1922–February 20, 1944) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his valor and sacrifice of life during World War II. On the night of February 19–20, 1944 on Engebi Island in the Marshall Islands, Corporal Damato sacrificed his life to save the lives of his fellow Marines.

Damato was born on March 28, 1922, in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the elementary and high schools of Shenandoah. Prior to enlistment he was last employed as a truck driver.

Damato enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 8, 1942. He went to Derry, Northern Ireland, in May of that year. He distinguished himself during the first year of his enlistment, volunteering for special duty with a select invasion party that took part in the North African landings. He was advanced in rate for especially meritorious conduct in action while serving aboard ship at the port city of Arzew, Algeria, on November 8, 1942. Landing with an assault wave entering the port from seaward, he assisted in boarding and seizing vessels in the harbor, and ultimately the port itself. He returned to the United States in March 1943, and three months later sailed for duty in the Pacific.

Damato was serving with an assault company of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 5th Amphibious Corps, on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands when on the night of February 19–20, 1944, while in a foxhole with two companions, he threw himself upon an enemy grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body, resulting in his instant death.