Dirk J. Vlug
Encyclopedia
Dirk J. Vlug was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in World War II
.
, and by December 15, 1944 was serving as a private first class
in the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. On that day, near Limon
in the Philippine
province of Leyte
, Vlug single-handedly destroyed five enemy tanks. For his actions, he was issued the Medal of Honor a year and a half later, on June 26, 1946. He left the army in 1951 with the rank of Master Sergeant
.
Vlug died at age 79 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Vlug joined the Army from Grand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, and by December 15, 1944 was serving as a private first class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
in the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. On that day, near Limon
Limon
Limon or Limón, Spanish for "lemon", may refer to:Places:* Limon, Colorado, a town in the United States* Limon, Nièvre, a commune in the Nièvre department of France* Limón, Honduras, a municipality in the department of Colón in Honduras...
in the Philippine
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
province of Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
, Vlug single-handedly destroyed five enemy tanks. For his actions, he was issued the Medal of Honor a year and a half later, on June 26, 1946. He left the army in 1951 with the rank of Master Sergeant
Master Sergeant
A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF...
.
Vlug died at age 79 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Medal of Honor citation
Private First Class Vlug's official Medal of Honor citation reads: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 machine gun 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.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II