Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Army

Donald Eugene Rudolph

Details
  • Rank: Second Lieutenant (rank at time of action: Technical Sergeant)
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2d Battalion, 20th Infantry,
    6th Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: February 5, 1945
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Citation

Second Lt. Rudolph (then TSgt.) was acting as platoon leader at Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands. While administering first aid on the battlefield, he observed enemy fire issuing from a nearby culvert. Crawling to the culvert with rifle and grenades, he killed three of the enemy concealed there. He then worked his way across open terrain toward a line of enemy pillboxes which had immobilized his company. Nearing the first pillbox, he hurled a grenade through its embrasure and charged the position. With his bare hands he tore away the wood and tin covering, then dropped a grenade through the opening, killing the enemy gunners and destroying their machine gun. Ordering several riflemen to cover his further advance, 2d Lt. Rudolph seized a pick mattock and made his way to a second pillbox. Piercing its top with the mattock, he dropped a grenade through the hole, firing several rounds from his rifle into it, and smothered any surviving enemy by sealing the hole and the embrasure with earth. In quick succession he attacked and neutralized six more pillboxes. Later, when his platoon was attacked by an enemy tank, he advanced under covering fire, climbed to the top of the tank, and dropped a white phosphorus grenade through the turret, destroying the crew. Through his outstanding heroism, superb courage, and leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety, 2d Lt. Rudolph cleared a path for an advance which culminated in one of the most decisive victories of the Philippine campaign.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: August 23, 1945

    The White House (Gold Room), presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman

  • Born: February 21, 1921, South Haven, Wright County, MN, United States
  • Died: May 15, 2006, Bowey, MN, United States
  • Buried: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, United States
 

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