World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his mother) by US Marine Corps Brigadier General M.C. Gregory on April 9, 1945, at the J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, for his actions as a corporal with the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, on February 20, 1944 at Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. Pacific Ocean. HE joined the US Marine Corps in January 1942 and following his recruit and combat training, he was sent to the Mediterranean Sea where he participated in Allied invasion of the North Africa in November 1942 He returned to the US in March 1943, and three months later, and was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations. While in combat at Engebi Island. he smothered an enemy grenade with his body to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Originally interred in the Temporary American Cemetery on Kiririan Island in the Marshall Islands, he was later reinterred in the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. The USS Damato (DD-871), a Navy Gearing-class Destroyer was named in honor His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with an assault company in action against enemy Japanese forces on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, on the night of 19[-20 February 1944. Highly vulnerable to sudden attack by small, fanatical groups of Japanese still at large despite the efficient and determined efforts of our forces to clear the area, Cpl. Damato lay with two comrades in a large foxhole in his company's defense perimeter which had been dangerously thinned by the forced withdrawal of nearly half of the available men. When one of the enemy approached the foxhole undetected and threw in a hand grenade, Cpl. Damato desperately groped for it in the darkness. Realizing the imminent peril to all three and fully aware of the consequences of his act, he unhesitatingly flung himself on the grenade and, although instantly killed as his body absorbed the explosion, saved the lives of his two companions. Cpl. Damato's splendid initiative, fearless conduct, and valiant sacrifice reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades."