Pfc Dirk J. C. Vlug
U.S. Army,
32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment
1st Battalion, Headquarters Company
Background
Dirk Jan Cornelius Vlug (pronounced Flug) was born August 20, 1916 to parents Isaac Vlug and Mietje Adriaantje “Mina” Dekker Vlug in Maple Lake, Minnesota. He completed one year of high school and worked as a machinst.
Wartime History
On April 21, 1941 drafted in the U.S. Army in Kalamazoo, Michigan as a private with serial number 36155403. Assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division", 126th Infantry Regiment (126th IR), 1st Battalion, Headquarters Company. By 1944 promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
On December 15, 1944 at the American road block across the Ormoc-Limon Road (Highway 2) near Limon in northern Leyte was attacked by a group of Japanese tanks. Alone, Pfc Vlug left his covered position with a bazooka and six rockets and advanced under enemy machine gun and 37mm gun fire. He loaded the bazooka and destroyed the first tank and killing the crew inside. As the second tank crew began to dismount to attack him, he killed one with his pistol and the others returned to their tank. Reloading, he destroyed the second tank. Next, three more tanks advanced up the road. Flanking them, he destroyed the third with a rocket and continued to advance under fire destroying the next. With his last rocket, he destroyed the third and caused it to crash down a steep embankment.
The Japanese tanks were from
1st Independent Tank Company under Captain Uchida and 2nd Independent Tank Company under Captain Kurobe of the 2nd Tank Division on Luzon. A total of twenty Type 95 Ha Go tanks were landed as reinforcements at Ormoc and attached to the Japanese Army 1st Division. The tanks were used as tractors to tow artillery and their ammunition from Ormoc to the Limon Pass area. Afterwards, they supported the infantry defending Limon Pass against the U.S. Army until lost in combat and accidents. By the end of December 1944, the last three surviving tanks were demolished by the Japanese before they retreated from the Limon Pass area.
Medal of Honor
For his actions on December 15, 1944 Vlug later earned the Medal of Honor. On May 23, 1946 after he was discharged, he learn his actions earned the Medal of Honor. On June 7, 1946 bestowed the Medal of Honor by U.S. President Harry S. Truman at a ceremony on the lawn of the White House. Today, his medals are displayed at the Michigan Heroes Museum.
Medal of Honor Citation (December 15, 1944) General Orders No. 60 (June 26, 1946)
 "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Dirk John Vlug (ASN: 36155103), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action on 15 December 1944, at Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands. When an American roadblock on the Ormoc Road was attacked by a group of enemy tanks, Private First Class Vlug left his covered position, and with a rocket launcher and six 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 one 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, Private First Class Vlug alone destroyed five enemy tanks and greatly facilitated successful accomplishment of his battalion’s mission." |
Postwar
On June 14, 1945 honorably discharged. On August 16, 1946 married Angie Sikkema in McBain, Michigan and the couple had three daughters: Carol, Margie and Meribeth. On May 23, 1949 he joined the Michigan Army National Guard. In 1950 started working at the U.S. Post Office (USPS). On January 25, 1951 discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant. In retirement, he was active in the 32nd Infantry Division association.
Memorials
Vlug died June 24, 1996 at age 79. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI at Block X, Lot 203, Space 1.
On Veteran's Day November 11, 1992 he received the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).
In October 1999, the United Veteran’s Council sought and received permission from the Grand Rapids City Commission to rename a street Dirk Vlug Way along Veterans Memorial Park.
The Michigan Heroes Museum has a display about Vlug with his medal of honor, uniform, revolver, photographs and other items on display.
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The Wisconsin National Guard Museum has a diorama model depicting Vlug's Medal of Honor action against five Japanese tanks.
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Relatives
Angie J. Sikkema Vlug (wife died 2013)
References
Some sources list his middle name as John [sic Jan] or do not list his second middle name
Cornelius
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Dirk J. Vlug
U.S. Army in World War II The War In the Pacific Leyte: The Return to the Philippines Chapter XX pages 339-340
"For the next few days the regiments of the 32d Division fought valiantly against a foe that limited the division's advance to a few score yards a day. Of the many acts of individual bravery, those of Pfc. Dick J. Vlug and Sgt. Leroy Johnson were outstanding. Private Vlug single-handedly destroyed five enemy tanks that were moving north along the highway."
History of the 127th Infantry Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard in World War II (1946) page Leyte 12
"At 10:01I on the 15th, Company “C” knocked out five Jap tanks attempting to break through the road and move south. Caliber 50 and bazookas were employed to destroy these tanks."
Taki's Home Page - The History of Battle of Imperial Japanese Tanks Part II Leyte Oct. to Dec. 1944
Dirk Jan Cornelius Vlug [PDF]
Congressional Medal of Honor Society -
Dirk John Cornelius Vlug (photo, MOH citation)
Hall of Valor - Dirk John Vlug (MOH citation)
FindAGrave - Dirk John Vlug (photos, grave photo)
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