|
|
| |
| |
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George E. Wahlen
CITATION:
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, Petty Officer 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, Petty officer Wahlen 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 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, Petty Officer Wahlen served as a constant inspiration and contributed vitally to the high morale of his company during critical phases of this strategically important engagement. By his heroic spirit, self-sacrificing efforts, and loyal devotion to duty, Petty Officer Wahlen reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
CONGRESS APPROVES NAME CHANGE FOR UTAH'S VA MED CENTER
Bennett bill to honor Utah Medal of Honor winner receives unanimous vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Bob Bennett to rename the VA hospital in Salt Lake City after George E. Wahlen, beloved veteran, World War II hero.
"This is a proper and fitting thing to do, not only because of George Wahlen's extraordinary accomplishments and service, but also because he is beloved by this fellow veterans," said Bennett noting the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the VA Regional Office, the Utah Division of Veterans Affairs, and the Va Medical Center were among the groups enthusiastically endorsing this recognition. "With this designation we honor George Wahlen, a distinguished Medal of Honor winner and a remarkable man, but also a representative of all veterans who have so nobly served their country," Bennett said.
Under the legislation, the Salt Lake hospital will now be known as the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Wahlen served as an Army corpsman in World War II and was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1945 by President Harry Truman . In addition to his service at Iwo Jima , Mr. Wahlen served in two more wars and continues to provide countless hours of volunteer service for Utah veterans.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, a cosponsor of the name change legislation, said "I know of no story that exemplifies honor, sacrifice and resolve than that of George Wahlen. During the invasion of Iwo Jima, Mr. Wahlen, then a Navy Pharmacist's Mate attached to a Marine unit, was wounded on three separate occasions while providing medical aid to his fallen comrades. On one occasion, after being seriously wounded, Mr. Wahlen crawled 50 yards under heavy enemy fire to care for a fallen service member. Sacrifice and resolve: these are the uncommon attributes that define this great man's life, and it is a fitting tribute that our VA hospital in Salt Lake bear his name."
The bill will now be sent to President George W. Bush for his signature.
The Spearhead: THE GRAY STREAKS of the Central Pacific dawn caught Iwo Jima at exactly 0640 on February 19, 1945. As the blackness dissolved and the outline of the island sharpened, it was caught, too, by something else. Warships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet opened the pre-invasion bombardment. "Streaming toward the transport area about ten thousand yards offshore were the troop-carrying ships of the invasion armada. Aboard, fifty thousand Marines gobbled a breakfast of steak and eggs, then hustled topside for a look at this island we wanted so badly. "Directly ahead Iwo Jimas shadowy land mass sloped up from the sea. Splashes of red flickered along its purplish hump and melted into exploding billows of smoke and dust. Suribachi, obscured by this manmade blanket, gave thousands of straining eyes aboard ship only periodic glimpses of its sharp, vertical cone. "This long-awaited sight heightened the last-minute tension felt alike by veterans of previous operations and by the first-timers counted among the thousands in the landing force. "The men who studied the sharpening scene were thoughtful men, regardless of what they might have said or done. Everything had been done for them that an efficient military organization could dotheir equipment was probably the best in the world; they had been well fed; they had attended religious services; they had been intelligently and thoroughly briefed; they were, and would continue to be, a tough, efficient team. Yet at this moment, each man was alone to think his own thoughts and make his peace with himself. Probably few men who watched Iwo loom before them thought about it as a final resting place or as a place where they, themselves, were apt to receive personal harm or injury. It was always some other poor devil who was killed or woundednever you. The human mind is indeed a strange and wonderful thing. "It was apparent that the landing force had had a lucky break in the weather. The sea was relatively smooth and surf conditions were as satisfactory as they ever are on a small island exposed to the full force of the sea. The sky was clear, visibility virtually unlimited, temperature 68 degrees, and wind eight to ten knots from the north.
Howard M. Conner, The Spearhead: The World War II History of the 5th Marine Division,
Infantry Journal Press, Washington D.C. 1950
On March 26, 1945 at 0800 Major General Harry Schmidt, Commander of the Fifth Amphibious Corps, declared the operation completed thus ending the Marine Corps' combat presence in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He closed his command post, and withdrew from the island on the afternoon of the 26th. The following day troops of 3rd Marine Division trudged to the east beach, and embarked aboard landing crafts that would take them to waiting transports. Fourth and 5th Divisions followed. After 36-days and many nights of bitter fighting against General Kuribayashi's subterranean garrison ensconced in a near impregnable fortress, and their job finished, Fifth Amphibious Corps abandoned the malevolent little island to the U.S. Army.
At 1800 on March 27, 1945 Marine Corps and Navy casualties incurred in the Battle of Iwo Jima were officially reported as follows:
Marine Corps
Official Reports:
Officers
Men
Killed in action
215
4,339
Died of wounds
60
1,271
Missing, presumed dead
3
43
Wounded in action
826
16,446
Combat fatigue casualties
46
2,602
Navy
Official Reports:
Officers and Men
Killed in action
363
Died of wounds
70
Missing, presumed dead
448
Wounded in action
1,917
Including March 26, 1945, Japanese killed and sealed up in caves was 20,703,
and only 216 had been taken prisoner.
George E. Wahlen, Utah's only living Medal of Honor Recipient, showed heroism as a Navy Corpsman in Battle of Iwo Jima.
VA Hospital to Get New Name Today
Jan. 8, 2004
(KSL News) After today, Salt Lake's VA Hospital will be history. That's because its getting a new name.
Senator Robert Bennett will be on hand later today to officially rename the hospital after George E. Wahlen .
Walen, a Utah war hero, is the only living recipient of The Congressional Medal of Honor in Utah.
This is what he had to say about the honor two months ago.
"I'm pretty modest... and I know I'm not going to change."
Wahlen was a medical corpsman during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II . Seriously wounded three times in 26 days, Wahlen hid his injuries so he could stay and care for other wounded Marines .
For that he received America's highest military honor. But he's just as proud of how he's helped other Veterans.
George Walen: "I've worked for the Veterans Administration for about 14 years, and helping veterans, I always quite enjoyed it. I used to tell my wife I can't believe I'm paid for helping people every day, but I really did enjoy that."
That ceremony kicks off at 10:00.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Articles & Briefings
