Private Junior Van Noy
U.S. Army, 532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment (532nd EBSR)
Headquarters Company, Shore Battalion

Background
Nathan Kilby Van Noy Jr. was born on August 9, 1924 to parents Nathan Kilby Van Noy and Pauline Jensine (née Pederson) Van Noy in Grace, Idaho. Nicknamed "Junior". His family was part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He completed three years of high school and worked as a checker (cashier) in a store.

Wartime History
On February 17, 1943 at age 19, Van Noy enlisted in the U.S. Army at Pocatello, Idaho with serial number 39909931. After training, assigned to the 532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment (532nd EBSR), Headquarters Company of Shore Battalion.

On October 17, 1943 in the predawn darkness Private Van Noy manned a machine defending Scarlet Beach when three Japanese barges with troops approached to land. Spotting them, he opened fire hitting and sinking one barge but the other two landed only ten yards away from his position. He aimed his machine gun at the troops as they unloaded. With the Japanese ashore, his loader was wounded by a grenade and evacuated. Alone, Van Noy remained at his post and continued firing until all his ammunition was expended. After the action, he was found dead next to his weapon with multiple wounds. A total of 39 Japanese were counted as killed in front of his position, with at least half credited to Van Noy's machine gun. Afterwards, he earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Medal of Honor Citation (February 26, 1944) "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Finschafen, New Guinea, on October 17, 1943. When wounded late in September, Pvt. Van Noy declined evacuation and continued on duty. On October 17, 1943 he was gunner in charge of a machinegun post only 5 yards from the water's edge when the alarm was given that 3 enemy barges loaded with troops were approaching the beach in the early morning darkness. One landing barge was sunk by Allied fire, but the other 2 beached 10 yards from Pvt. Van Noy's emplacement. Despite his exposed position, he poured a withering hail of fire into the debarking enemy troops. His loader was wounded by a grenade and evacuated. Pvt. Van Noy, also grievously wounded, remained at his post, ignoring calls of nearby soldiers urging him to withdraw, and continued to fire with deadly accuracy. He expended every round and was found, covered with wounds dead beside his gun. In this action Pvt. Van Noy killed at least half of the 39 enemy taking part in the landing. His heroic tenacity at the price of his life not only saved the lives of many of his comrades, but enabled them to annihilate the attacking detachment."

Memorials
Van Noy was officially declared dead October 17, 1943. After the battle, his body was recovered and buried in New Guinea. Postwar, his remains were transported to the Untied States. He is buried at Grace Cemetery in Grace, Idaho. His grave includes both an upright grave and flat grave.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Junior N. Van Noy
FindAGrave - Nathan K. Van Noy, Jr (photos)