Rodger Young

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Rodger Young

Rodger Wilton Young (born April 28, 1918 in Clyde , Ohio , † July 31, 1943 in New Georgia ) was a member of the US infantry during World War II . He was shot dead in New Georgia ( New Georgia Archipelago ) while alone destroying an enemy machine gun nest to save his train . He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for this courageous and valiant act .

He held the rank of staff sergeant for a while , but was demoted to private at his own request after he had problems with his hearing.

His rank and affiliation were Private, United States Army , 148th Infantry, US 37th Infantry Division.

Reason for the award of the Medal of Honor

On July 31, 1943, the infantry company, to which Private Rodger Young belonged, was ordered to pull back a little so the battalion could get into position for the night. At this point, Private Young's platoon was engaged in a battle with the enemy in a dense jungle with severely limited visibility. The train was suddenly arrested by heavy fire from a Japanese machine gun positioned just 70 meters away on higher ground. The opening salvo wounded Private Young. As the platoon began to carry out the order and withdraw, Private Young shouted that he could see the enemy position, whereupon he crawled towards it. He was hit again by another volley. Despite these wounds, he continued on his way, drawing enemy fire in the process, which he answered with rifle shots. When he got close enough to his target, he threw hand grenades. The last machine gun salvo killed Private Young. His brave act of approaching the Japanese machine gun nest and deflecting its fire allowed his platoon to break away from the enemy without further loss. He was responsible for several enemy losses.

from "The Ballad of Rodger Young" by Frank Loesser

On the island of New Georgia in the Solomons
Stands a simple wooden cross alone to tell.
That beneath the silent coral of the Solomons
Sleeps a man, sleeps a man remembered well.
Sleeps a man, Rodger Young!
Fought and died for the men he marched among.
In the everlasting spirit of the Infantry
Breathes the spirit of Private Rodger Young.

about

On the Solomon Islands of New Georgia
A simple wooden cross stands alone to tell:
With the silent corals of the Solomon Islands
When a man rests, a man rests who will always be remembered.
Rest a man, Rodger Young!
Fought and died for the men he marched with.
In the eternal spirit of the infantry.
If you breathe the spirit of Private Rodger Young.

In 1949, Rodger Young's remains were transferred to the United States . He is now buried in McPherson Cemetery in Clyde , Ohio .

Others

Robert Heinlein , impressed by Young's heroism, named a ship after him in his book Starship Troopers , the TFCT Rodger Young .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Young Honorary Medalist, Rodger W. Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Young, Rodger
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Young, Rodger Wilton
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American war hero
DATE OF BIRTH April 28, 1918
PLACE OF BIRTH Clyde
DATE OF DEATH July 31, 1943
Place of death New Georgia