This year I’m going to introduce Rodger Young to those of you who haven’t heard his story although the name might be familiar.
From Wikipedia
Rodger Wilton Young (April 28, 1918 – July 31, 1943) was an American infantryman in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was
killed on New Georgia (in the New Georgia Islands) while saving his platoon. For his actions, he posthumously received the Medal of
Honor.Young, a member of the United States National Guard, attained the rank of Sergeant (as shown by his rank insignia in many
photographs), but before going to war he requested that his rank be diminished to Private. As a result of a childhood accident he had increasing problems with his eyesight and hearing. He had originally joined the National Guard, believing that he would not be
accepted into the regular army given his health problems. When his unit was called up he feared that as a Sergeant he would be a liability. After being examined by the company doctor, it was determined that Young was now almost completely deaf and he returned to active duty with the rank of Private.In 1949, Young’s remains were returned to the United States and he is now buried in McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, Ohio.
In Robert A. Heinlein’s novel Starship Troopers, the troop transport TFCT Rodger Young is named for him, and the song “The Ballad of Rodger Young” by Frank Loesser is featured prominently throughout the book. The ending of the book also contains Young’s
citation for gallantry.
Rank and organization: Private, United States Army, 148th Infantry, US 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: On New Georgia,
Solomon Islands, 31 July 1943. Entered service at: Clyde, Ohio. Birth: Tiffin, Ohio. G.O. No.: 3, 6 January 1944.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 machine gun 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 machine gun 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.