Dirk J. Vlug

Dirk John Vlug [1] (August 20, 1916 – June 25, 1996) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Vlug joined the Army from Grand Rapids, Michigan in April 1941.

[2] On December 15, 1944, while serving as a private first class in the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, near Limon in the Philippine province of Leyte, Vlug single-handedly[3] destroyed five enemy tanks.

He left the army and joined the Michigan National Guard in May 1949, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant in January 1951.

[5] Vlug died at age 79 and interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.