Rodger Young
Rodger Wilton Young was a United States Army soldier who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War II. Born on April 28, 1918, in Tiffin, Ohio, Young enlisted in the Army in 1940 and served as a Private First Class in the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division.
Initially Rejected for Various Disabilities
Standing at just 5 feet 4 inches tall, Young was far from the ideal conscript for the Army. Young had chronic pain and partial deafness due to mastoiditis, a condition he endured making him nearly deaf and blind.[1] Adding to his struggles, Young also grappled with poor vision, complicating his ability to serve effectively in combat. Despite these formidable obstacles, Young's determination and resilience shone through as he volunteered for combat duty and displayed exceptional courage on the battlefield. Prior to enlisting in the United States Army in 1940, Young was initially rejected due to his multiple disabilities, but his unwavering commitment to serve led him to appeal for a second chance, which he ultimately received.
Battle of New Georgia
Young's courageous actions occurred during the Battle of New Georgia in the Pacific Theater on July 31, 1943. While his platoon was under intense enemy fire, Young voluntarily crawled towards a machine gun nest and with a combination of small arms fire and grenades silenced the nest, protecting his platoon. Despite being wounded himself, Young continued to fight and press forward and engage the enemy. Ignoring his injuries and displaying exceptional bravery, Young single-handedly disabled an enemy machine gun nests, allowing his platoon to safely reposition.
Medal of Honor
His selfless actions and extraordinary valor inspired those around him and contributed significantly to the success of his unit's mission. For his gallantry and devotion to duty, Private First Class Rodger Young was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration for valor.
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 machine gun 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 machine gun 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 hand grenades, 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." [2]
Liberty Ship Named in his Honor
In honor of his bravery and sacrifice, the Liberty Ship SS Rodger Young was named after him and was launched on November 16, 1943. Additionally, a 1945 war film titled The Story of G.I. Joe, starring Burgess Meredith, depicted Young's heroic actions and paid tribute to his memory.
Ballad of Rodger Young
The Ballad of Rodger Young is a folk song composed by American songwriter Frank Loesser in 1945, inspired by the heroic actions of Private First Class Rodger W. Young during World War II. The ballad celebrates Young's bravery and sacrifice, recounting his fearless leadership and ultimate sacrifice in the face of enemy fire. With its stirring lyrics and haunting melody, the Ballad of Rodger Young became a popular tribute to the courage and valor of American soldiers, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen like Young in defense of freedom and democracy.
Starship Troopers
In addition to its cultural significance, Rodger Young's story has been referenced in popular literature and film, most notably in Robert A. Heinlein's science fiction novel Starship Troopers. Published in 1959, Heinlein's novel features a character named Rodger Young, who serves as an inspiration for the protagonist, Johnny Rico, and his fellow soldiers. The novel explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and citizenship, drawing parallels between the fictional Rodger Young and the real-life heroism of Private First Class Rodger W. Young. This homage to Young's legacy was further immortalized in the 1997 film adaptation of Starship Troopers, directed by Paul Verhoeven, where the character of Rodger Young is depicted as a revered figure in the military, symbolizing the courage and selflessness of those who serve in defense of humanity.