MOH

Medal of Honor: Dirk J. Vlug – World War II – December 15, 1944

Armed with a rocket launcher and six rounds, one infantryman stepped out alone under tank fire—and destroyed five enemy tanks to hold the line on Leyte.

December 16, 2025

Name: Dirk J. Vlug
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division
Place and Date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands – 15 December 1944
Entered Service At: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Born: Maple Lake, Minnesota
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: Michigan

Summary of Action

On December 15, 1944, near Limon on Leyte, an American roadblock along the Ormoc Road came under attack by a force of advancing Japanese tanks. The armored assault threatened to break through the defensive line and imperil the battalion’s position.

Private First Class Dirk J. Vlug left his covered position and advanced alone toward the tanks carrying a rocket launcher and six rounds of ammunition. Moving forward under intense machine-gun and 37-mm fire, he loaded and fired the launcher single-handedly, destroying the first tank with one round and killing its crew.

As the crew of a second tank attempted to dismount and engage him, Vlug shot and killed one enemy soldier with his pistol, forcing the remaining crewmen back inside the vehicle. He then destroyed the tank with another rocket.

Three additional enemy tanks advanced up the road. Flanking the lead vehicle, Vlug destroyed it at close range. Despite a continuing hail of enemy fire, he pressed forward and knocked out a fourth tank. With his final rocket, he struck the remaining vehicle, sending it crashing down a steep embankment.

By his lone action, Pfc. Vlug destroyed five enemy tanks, halted the armored attack, and ensured the successful defense of the roadblock.

Medal of Honor Citation

VLUG, DIRK J.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 126th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 15 December 1944.

Entered service at: Grand Rapids, Mich.

Birth: Maple Lake, Minn.

G.O. No.: 60, 26 June 1946.

Citation:

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty when an American roadblock on the Ormoc Road was attacked by a group of enemy tanks. He left his covered position, and with a rocket launcher and 6 rounds of ammunition, advanced alone under intense machinegun and 37-mm fire. Loading single-handedly, he destroyed the first tank, killing its occupants with a single round. As the crew of the second tank started to dismount and attack him, he killed 1 of the foe with his pistol, forcing the survivors to return to their vehicle, which he then destroyed with a second round. Three more hostile tanks moved up the road, so he flanked the first and eliminated it, and then, despite a hail of enemy fire, pressed forward again to destroy another. With his last round of ammunition he struck the remaining vehicle, causing it to crash down a steep embankment. Through his sustained heroism in the face of superior forces, Pfc. Vlug alone destroyed 5 enemy tanks and greatly facilitated successful accomplishment of his battalion’s mission.