Van Noy, Nathan Kilby "Junior"

Date of birth:: August 9th, 1924 (Grace/Idaho, United States)
Date of death:: October 17th, 1943 (Finschafen, New Guinea.)
Buried on:: American War Grave Grace Cemetery
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private
Unit:: HQ Company, Shore Battalion, 532nd Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment, 2nd Engineer Special Brigade, 9th Australian Division, Australian Army
Awarded on:: February 26th, 1944

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Finschafen, New Guinea, on 17 October 1943. When wounded late in September, Pvt. Van Noy declined evacuation and continued on duty. On 17 October 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."

War Department, General Orders No. 17 (Awarded posthumously)