Alphons Anton Pinter

Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 004225 (January 4, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Alphons A. Pinter (MCSN: 294844), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Leader of a Machine-Gun Section serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, from 21 to 25 July 1944.
When both guns of his section jammed during a Japanese night Banzai charge, Sergeant Pinter immediately brought his sub-machine gun to bear on the hostile forces and, courageously maintaining a steady, accurate fire and intermittently throwing grenades, destroyed eight of the enemy and disorganized the attack before the other weapons were restored to action, thereby saving his entire sector. On 25 July, although mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire, he steadfastly refused assistance and tenaciously continued to direct the evacuation of all other casualties in his section until he succumbed to his wounds. Sergeant Pinter's splendid initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and self-sacrificing loyalty to duty and to his men reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.