Junior Van Noy
Encyclopedia
Junior Nathan Van Noy 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 October 17, 1943 was serving as a private
in the Headquarters Company of Shore Battalion, Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. On that day, near Finschafen, New Guinea
, he manned a machine gun during an enemy attack, refusing to withdraw even after being seriously wounded. He destroyed half of the small enemy force before being killed. For his actions during the battle, he was posthumously issued the Medal of Honor four months later, on February 26, 1944.
Van Noy, aged 19 at his death, was buried at Grace Cemetery in his birth city of Grace, Idaho
. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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
Van Noy joined the Army from Preston, IdahoPreston, Idaho
Preston is a city in Franklin County, Idaho, United States. The population was 4,682 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Franklin County. It is part of the Logan, Utah-Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, and by October 17, 1943 was serving as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the Headquarters Company of Shore Battalion, Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. On that day, near Finschafen, New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
, he manned a machine gun during an enemy attack, refusing to withdraw even after being seriously wounded. He destroyed half of the small enemy force before being killed. For his actions during the battle, he was posthumously issued the Medal of Honor four months later, on February 26, 1944.
Van Noy, aged 19 at his death, was buried at Grace Cemetery in his birth city of Grace, Idaho
Grace, Idaho
Grace is a city in Caribou County, Idaho, in the United States. The population was 990 at the 2000 census.-History:The area of Grace was once inhabited by the Shoshone Indians. White settlement dates back to the mid-to-late 19th century. The Oregon Trail passed within of Grace...
. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Medal of Honor citation
Private Van Noy's official Medal of Honor citation reads:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Finschafen, New Guinea, on October 17, 1943. When wounded late in September, Pvt. Van Noy declined evacuation and continued on duty. On October 17, 1943 he was gunner in charge of a machinegun post only 5 yards from the water's edge when the alarm was given that 3 enemy barges loaded with troops were approaching the beach in the early morning darkness. One landing barge was sunk by Allied fire, but the other 2 beached 10 yards from Pvt. Van Noy's emplacement. Despite his exposed position, he poured a withering hail of fire into the debarking enemy troops. His loader was wounded by a grenade and evacuated. Pvt. Van Noy, also grievously wounded, remained at his post, ignoring calls of nearby soldiers urging him to withdraw, and continued to fire with deadly accuracy. He expended every round and was found, covered with wounds dead beside his gun. In this action Pvt. Van Noy killed at least half of the 39 enemy taking part in the landing. His heroic tenacity at the price of his life not only saved the lives of many of his comrades, but enabled them to annihilate the attacking detachment.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II