George E. Wahlen, Hero of the Battle of Iwo Jima

[Subdeacon Joe]

A Salute to George E. Wahlen Hero of the Battle of Iwo Jima

Despite painful wounds, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George E. Wahlen refuses evacuation and continues to aid wounded Marines with the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. He receives the Medal of Honor for his actions, then goes on to serve in combat during the Korean and Vietnam wars as a member of the US Army. George was also honored with the Bronze Star and for Purple Heart medals.

⭐ George Wahlen's Medal of Honor Citation reads as follows: 

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano group on 3 March 1945. Painfully wounded in the bitter action on 26 February, Wahlen remained on the battlefield, advancing well forward of the frontlines to aid a wounded marine and carrying him back to safety despite a terrific concentration of fire. Tireless in his ministrations, he consistently disregarded all danger to attend his fighting comrades as they fell under the devastating rain of shrapnel and bullets, and rendered prompt assistance to various elements of his combat group as required. When an adjacent platoon suffered heavy casualties, he defied the continuous pounding of heavy mortars and deadly fire of enemy rifles to care for the wounded, working rapidly in an area swept by constant fire and treating 14 casualties before returning to his own platoon. Wounded again on 2 March, he gallantly refused evacuation, moving out with his company the following day in a furious assault across 600 yards of open terrain and repeatedly rendering medical aid while exposed to the blasting fury of powerful Japanese guns. Stouthearted and indomitable, he persevered in his determined efforts as his unit waged fierce battle and, unable to walk after sustaining a third agonizing wound, resolutely crawled 50 yards to administer first aid to still another fallen fighter. By his dauntless fortitude and valor, Wahlen served as a constant inspiration and contributed vitally to the high morale of his company during critical phases of this strategically important engagement. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming enemy fire upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

In December 1945, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Wahlen was discharged from the Navy. He later joined the U.S. Army, served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and retired with the rank of Major. Following his military service, Major Wahlen worked for the Veterans Administration. A native of Utah, George was the last living WWII Medal of Honor recipient in the state. Major Wahlen passed away in June of 2009 in Salt Lake City Utah.  He was 84 years old.

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#neverforgotten #NeverForget #usnavy #usnavyveteran #heroes #heroism #hero #purpleheart #VietnamWar #KoreanWar 

Original description and photo sourced by the US Navy Archive, National World War II Museum and US Naval Historical Center.

 

 

[Utah Bob #35998]

Some citations are written well. That one was wonderfully written! 

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Was he Medical Corps in the Army?

[Sedalia Dave]

9 hours ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

Was he Medical Corps in the Army?

 

From Wikipedia

Quote

 

honorably discharged on December 19, 1945. In 1948, he re-enlisted in the United States Army as a medical technician, became an officer, and served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired from the army in 1968, with the rank of major after being wounded and awarded a Purple Heart.

 

As a civilian he worked for over a decade with the Veteran's Administration, where he retired at the age of 59. He is the subject of the book The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima by Gary W. Toyn.