Dirk J. Vlug
Dirk John Vlug [1] (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.
Dirk J. Vlug | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 20, 1916 Maple Lake, Minnesota |
| Died | June 25, 1996 (aged 79) Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Place of burial | Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941 - 1951 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Biography
Vlug joined the Army from Grand Rapids, Michigan in April 1941.[2] On December 15, 1944, while serving as a private first class in the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, near Limon in the Philippine province of Leyte, Vlug single-handedly[3] destroyed five enemy tanks.[4] For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 26, 1946. He left the army and joined the Michigan National Guard in May 1949, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant in January 1951.[5]
Vlug died at age 79 and interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
References
- Hall of Valor
- WWII Army Enlistment Records
- tara (2020-08-21). "This Day in History: Dirk J. Vlug's one-man attack on enemy tanks". Taraross. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- "Dirk J. Vlug | World War II | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Archived October 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
External links
- "Dirk J. Vlug". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (T–Z)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.