From the NY Times and their Citations:
Michael McGarty (WW I)
Michael J. McGarty, formerly 1st sergeant. Company B. 306th Machine
Gun Battalion. Seventy-seventh Division, American Expeditionary Force. For
extraordinary heroism in action at Chevieres, near Grand Pre France, Oct. 14,
1918. With utter disregard for his own personal safety Sergeant McGarty went
forward under heavy enemy machine gun fire to rescue a severely wounded officer
and displayed extraordinary heroism in action by helping to carry him to a place of safety.
Harold McGarty (WW II)
“For extraordinary heroism in action at Kochi, Okinawa
Shima, Ryukyas Islands, on 4 May 1945. Sgt. McGarty, light machine gun section
leader of Company I, ..... Infantry, with two gunners and two riflemen, was
occupying a position on the right flank of the company”
"The nearest friendly troops on either flank were 20
yards away. At about 0330, four Japs crawled to within ten yards of his
position and attempted to reduce it with grenades: Two of the enemy were killed
and the others withdrew.
''Subsequently, heavy mortar concentration was placed on me
company. Before the concentration had lifted the enemy assaulted Sgt. McGarty’s
machine gun position from the flank.
“Seeing that time did
not permit him to reset the light machine gun which was laid on the final
protective line, he met the enemy by heroically throwing hand grenades and
firing his rifle into, the fanatical rush of 40 screaming" Japanese
soldiers.”
“When the man next to him Was bayoneted in the shoulder, Sgt
McGarty shot his assailant through the head at point blank range. Two of his
men who had been wounded loaded their rifles for him as fast as he emptied them
at the enemy. Being unable to withstand the deadly fire and outstanding
determination of Sgt. McGarty, the enemy withdrew, leaving 19 dead.”
“Sgt. McGarty sent his wounded back to the company command
post, redistributed ammunition and prepared his remaining men for another
attack. At about 0400 the enemy again swept up the front of the hill, this time
attacking along the entire company front. Sgt. McGarty saw a group attempting
to set up a machine gun to the left of his position and observed others moving
up to attack the first platoon.
“Directing the fire of his light machine gun at both groups,
he inflicted heavy casualties and destroyed the enemy gun. Sgt. McGarty, by his
determined stand and inspiring example, held a vitally important position and
prevented a breakthrough which would have endangered his entire unit. His
extraordinary heroism in the face of overwhelming odds reflects the greatest
credit on himself and exemplifies the highest traditions of the- military
service.”
Sgt. McGarty was wounded at about the same time, and flown
out of the Pacific, across the country to Newark Airport, arriving at Haloran
General Hospital last June 6. Since being discharged, he and his wife, Mrs.
Dorothy McGarty, have been living in Glendale, L. I.
He served in the Army for three and one-half years, and was
overseas for about one and one- half years. Before going to Okinawa, he
participated in the Leyte campaign with the 77th Division. A former St. Peter's
High School student, he has returned to his job with the Automatic Fire Alarm
Company, Brooklyn.
His brothers are Terrence Patrick McGarty, FC2/c, of 108 New
Street, Port Richmond, with the Navy in Ominato, Honshu, Japan and Sgt. John
McGarty, with the Air Forces ground crew in France.
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