89
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 13:
Line 13: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
no edit summary
Rodger Young would partake in Operation Cartwheel and would be tasked with capturing and holding an airstrip at Munda. During a patrol Rodger Young's platoon, under the command of Sergeant Walter Rigby, was ambushed by a hidden Japanese MG nest. The platooon was pinned down and had no way to effectively retreat or advance. After several people were wounded Rodger Young started a crawling advance to the MG nest. During his advance he suffered multiple wounds some immobilizing one of his arms. Despite his multiple wounds he continued his advanced and eventually reached fifteen feet in front of the enemy fortification. He then armed a grenade using one arm and his teeth to pull the pin. He then stood up into the hail of enemy bullets and threw the grenade. The grenade destroyed the fortification. At the cost of his own life Rodger Young saved fifteen of the twenty man patrol.
Rodger Young would partake in Operation Cartwheel and would be tasked with capturing and holding an airstrip at Munda. During a patrol Rodger Young's platoon, under the command of Sergeant Walter Rigby, was ambushed by a hidden Japanese MG nest. The platooon was pinned down and had no way to effectively retreat or advance. After several people were wounded Rodger Young started a crawling advance to the MG nest. During his advance he suffered multiple wounds some immobilizing one of his arms. Despite his multiple wounds he continued his advanced and eventually reached fifteen feet in front of the enemy fortification. He then armed a grenade using one arm and his teeth to pull the pin. He then stood up into the hail of enemy bullets and threw the grenade. The grenade destroyed the fortification. At the cost of his own life Rodger Young saved fifteen of the twenty man patrol.
== Medal of Honor ==
Due to his actions Rodger Young received the [[Medal of Honor]] posthumously in January of 1944.
<blockquote>
The President of the United States takes pride in awarding the Medal of Honor posthumously to<br />
PRIVATE RODGER W. YOUNG, COMPANY B, 148th<br />
INFANTRY, UNITED STATES ARMY<br />
for service as set forth in the following<br />
CITATION:<br />
"For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on New Georgia, Solomon Islands. On 31 July 1943, the infantry company, of which Private 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, Private 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 machine-gun concealed on higher ground only seventy-five yards away. The initial burst wounded Private Young. As the platoon started to obey the order to withdraw, Private Young called out the he could see the enemy emplacement, whereupon he started creeping toward it. Another burst from the machine-gun wounded him the second time. Despite his 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. Private 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."
</blockquote>[http://www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/Young/MdlHnr.htm]