Dirk J. Vlug
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| Dirk J. Vlug | |
|---|---|
| August 20, 1916 – June 25, 1996 (aged 79) | |
 Dirk J. Vlug, Medal of Honor recipient |
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| Place of birth | Maple Lake, Minnesota |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Dirk J. Vlug (August 20, 1916 – June 25, 1996) 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.
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[edit] Biography
Vlug joined the Army from Grand Rapids, Michigan, 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.
Vlug died at age 79 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
[edit] 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 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Dirk J. Vlug at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2007-09-18
- Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (T-Z). Medal of Honor Citations. U.S. Army Center of Military History (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-18.
