Page 67 - History of War - Issue 18-15

DIRK J VLUG
The fi nal tank
05 After hitting and
destroying the fourth, the
fi fth and fi nal tank attempts
to manoeuvre around the
wreckages. Vlug hits it with
his rocket launcher, sending
the tank off course and
crashing down a nearby
steep embankment.
“He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty… Through his
sustained heroism in the face of superior forces, Pfc
Vlug greatly facilitated successful accomplishment
of his battalion’s mission”
Offi cial citation for Vlug’s Medal of Honor
they set up a roadblock on the highway, where fi re, Vlug pressed forward with his attack,
they were met by the advance of fi ve Japanese destroying a fourth tank with the launcher and
tanks. In theory, the heavily armoured vehicles then hitting the fi fth as it attempted to move
should have cut right through them. around the burning wreckages of the others.
Had Vlug stopped to consider his actions, Losing control, the fi fth tank careered off the
what followed might never have happened. One road, plummeting down a steep embankment.
can only assume he acted on pure adrenaline In what proved to be an interesting footnote,
and instinct, knocking out all fi ve tanks in a Vlug took time after the incident to capture
matter of minutes. photographs of the tanks he had single-handedly
The fi rst tank laid a smokescreen ahead of destroyed. His actions would be a decisive
its trajectory to conceal its movement, and factor in the success of his battalion’s mission.
from behind the screen came heavy machine Both the 126th and 127th Infantry Regiments
gun fi re and relentless assault from 37mm continued south on the highway, with their
cannons. The American troops took cover – all respective 1st and 2nd Battalions winning
except Pfc Vlug, who grabbed a rocket launcher bitterly fought victories against the pockets of
and six rounds of ammunition. Leaving his Japanese resistance along the way.
covered position, he charged toward the road By 21 December, the US forces approaching
by himself. The Japanese troops aboard the from both the north and south met and closed
fi rst tank saw Vlug and concentrated their the trap, ensuring the Sixth Army took control
machine-gun fi re directly at him. of the all-important Ormoc Valley. The battle
Undeterred by the hail of bullets, Vlug loaded for Leyte came to a successful conclusion,
the rocket launcher and, with one accurate while the overall liberation of the Philippines
shot, destroyed the fi rst tank. The second tank islands was all but fi nished by April, with small
crunched to a stop and the troops dismounted, instances of resistance continuing until Japan’s
charging forward and opening fi re on Vlug. surrender on 15 August 1945.
Quickly, he pulled his pistol and opened fi re, Following his return to US soil, Pfc Vlug was
killing one of them and sending the rest fl eeing awarded the Medal of Honor on 26 June 1946.
back to the tank. Before they managed to get it After leaving the army, he joined the Michigan
moving forward again, Vlug struck them with his National Guard in May 1949 and retired six
second rocket. years later with the rank of master sergeant.
At this point, the other tanks continued to roll Dirk J Vlug passed away aged 79 in Grand
forward, unleashing their fi repower at Vlug. He Rapids, Michigan, where he has a street
manoeuvred to the side and positioned himself named after him, running adjacent to the
on the fl ank of the third vehicle, from where he Veterans’ Memorial Park. His actions on that
fi red the launcher and took it out. day remain a pillar of American military valour,
The remaining two tanks were now at close commendable in his defi ance of dangerous,
range of Vlug. Despite being under continuous seemingly unbreakable opposition.
One of the photos
taken by Vlug of the
tanks he destroyed
67