01NOV1942: Serving as a machine gun squad leader during the Battle of Guadalcanal, Cpl Anthony Casamento and his men came under heavy fire as they held the line near the Matanikau River. Moving his element forward, Casamento set in his machine guns to most effectively provide covering fire for his advancing company, just a short distance behind him. The Japanese fire was intense and accurate and before long the entire element, with the exception of Casamento were killed or seriously wounded. Despite being wounded himself, Casamento took over the guns and continued to lay down devastating fire as the nearby Japanese forces concentrated on his position. Casamento stayed on these weapon systems, destroying one enemy machine gun and suppressing another despite the overwhelming volume of fire aimed in his direction. Eventually, the main body of the attacking force arrived to reinforce Casamento and push the fight into the enemy lines. Casamento would be evacuated for his wounds and survived the war. However, as there were thought to be no survivors from the engagement, Casamento's bravery went without recognition until 1964 when it was discovered that two Marines from that fight had survived and provided eyewitness accounts of what Casamento had done. In turn, in 1980, Anthony Casamento was awarded the Medal of Honor.

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