VLUG, DIRK J. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 126th Infantry,
32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands,
15 December 1944. Entered service at: Grand Rapids, Mich. Birth: Maple
Lake, Minn. G.O. No.: 60, 26 June 1946. Citation: He displayed conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty when an American
roadblock on the Ormoc Road was attacked by a group of enemy tanks. He
left his covered position, and with a rocket launcher and 6 rounds of ammunition,
advanced alone under intense machinegun and 37-mm. fire. Loading single-handedly,
he destroyed the first tank, killing its occupants with a single round.
As the crew of the second tank started to dismount and attack him, he killed
1 of the foe with his pistol, forcing the survivors to return to their
vehicle, which he then destroyed with a second round. Three more hostile
tanks moved up the road, so he flanked the first and eliminated it, and
then, despite a hail of enemy fire, pressed forward again to destroy another.
With his last round of ammunition he struck the remaining vehicle, causing
it to crash down a steep embankment. Through his sustained heroism in the
face of superior forces, Pfc. Vlug alone destroyed 5 enemy tanks and greatly
facilitated successful accomplishment of his battalion's mission.
Browse Records by Era / War / Subject |
