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Rodger Wilton Young

Branch of Service: U.S. Army

Years of Service: 1939 - 1943

Rank: Sergeant

Unit:  148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division

Wars/Battles:  World War II / Battle of Munda Point

Awards: Medal of Honor, Purple Heart

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Born: April 28th, 1918

           Tiffin, Ohio

Died: July 31st, 1943

           Munda, New Georgia

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Medal of Honor Citation

On 31 July 1943, the infantry company of which Pvt. Young was a member, was ordered to make a limited withdrawal from the battle line in order to adjust the battalion's position for the night. At this time, Pvt. Young's platoon was engaged with the enemy in a dense jungle where observation was very limited. The platoon suddenly was pinned down by intense fire from a Japanese machinegun concealed on higher ground only 75 yards away. The initial burst wounded Pvt. Young. As the platoon started to obey the order to withdraw, Pvt. Young called out that he could see the enemy emplacement, whereupon he started creeping toward it. Another burst from the machinegun wounded him the second time. Despite the wounds, he continued his heroic advance, attracting enemy fire and answering with rifle fire. When he was close enough to his objective, he began throwing hand grenades, and while doing so was hit again and killed. Pvt. Young's bold action in closing with this Japanese pillbox and thus diverting its fire, permitted his platoon to disengage itself, without loss, and was responsible for several enemy casualties.

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