Rodger Young
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Rodger Wilton Young (April 28, 1918 – July 31, 1943) was an American infantryman in the US Army during World War II. He was killed on New Georgia (in the New Georgia Islands) while saving his platoon. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
In Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers, the troop transport TFCT Rodger Young is named for him.
- 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 machinegun 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 machinegun 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 handgrenades, 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.
WWII MoH recipients T-Z (http://www.army.mil/cmh/mohiib2.htm)
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.
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1981/38405/west_point/songs/RodgerYoung.htm
- Rodger Young – Little Man, Big Hero (http://www.homeofheroes.com/profiles/profiles_young.html)
- Biographical Sketch (http://www.rbhayes.org/mssfind/lh_coll/youngrw.htm)