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Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S Marine Corps. Birth: 8 August 1922,
Chicago, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as a squad leader, serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines,
1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa
Shima in the Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945. When his squad was suddenly assailed
by extremely heavy small arms fire from the front during a determined advance
against strongly fortified, fiercely defended Japanese positions, Cpl.
Fardy temporarily deployed his men along a nearby drainage ditch. Shortly
thereafter, an enemy grenade fell among the marines in the ditch. Instantly
throwing himself upon the deadly missile, Cpl. Fardy absorbed the exploding
blast in his own body, thereby protecting his comrades from certain and
perhaps fatal injuries. Concerned solely for the welfare of his men, he
willingly relinquished his own hope of survival that his fellow marines
might live to carry on the fight against a fanatic enemy. A stouthearted
leader and indomitable fighter, Cpl. Fardy, by his prompt decision and
resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, had rendered
valiant service, and his conduct throughout reflects the highest credit
upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for
his country.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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