On that day, near Finschafen, New Guinea, he manned a machine gun during an enemy attack, refusing to withdraw even after being seriously wounded.

Private Van Noy's official Medal of Honor citation reads:[2] 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.

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.

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.

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.The U.S. Army Engineer Port Repair ship Junior N. Van Noy was named for him in 1943 and was the first of the ships operating, reporting 10 August 1944 to assist in repairing the port of Cherbourg.