War Stories with Preston and Sayre
Society & Culture
PVT Rodger Young (148th IN, 37th ID) New Georgia, Solomon Islands 31JUL1943
31JUL1943: PVT Rodger Young, serving as an infantryman during the Battle of Munda Point in the New Georgia Campaign, was on a patrol when his platoon came under intense from an enemy machine gun emplacement.
Firing from a mere 75 yards away, the initial burst killed two Soldiers and wounded Young. With two more killed attempting to flank the machine gun, the patrol leader ordered a withdrawal. At this point, Young spoke up that he could see the enemy emplacement and began moving towards it despite the heavy volume of accurate fire.
Nearing the machine gun nest, PVT Young was wounded a second time but continued his advance. Returning fire as he moved, Young made it close enough to begin throwing grenades into the position, killing or wounding all inside. At this point, PVT Young was hit again and killed by the enemy defenders but his actions allowed his platoon to disengage and exit the kill zone.
For his actions, PVT Rodger Young would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
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