| Dirk J. Vlug | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 20, 1916 Maple Lake, Minnesota |
| Died | June 25, 1996 (aged 79) |
| Place of burial | Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941 - 1951 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Unit | 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Dirk J. Vlug (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.
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Vlug joined the Army from Grand Rapids, Michigan in April 1941[1], and by December 15, 1944 was serving as a private first class in the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. On that day, near Limon in the Philippine province of Leyte, Vlug single-handedly destroyed five enemy tanks. For his actions, he was issued the Medal of Honor a year and a half later, on June 26, 1946. He left the army in 1951 with the rank of Master Sergeant.
Vlug died at age 79 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Private First Class Vlug's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
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 machine gun 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.