George E Wahlen
| George E. Wahlen | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 8, 1924 Ogden, Utah |
| Died | June 5, 2009 Utah |
| Status | Survived |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 (Navy); later United States Army to 1968 |
| Rank | Pharmacist's Mate Second Class |
| Service number | |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | Served in the U.S. Army through the Korean and Vietnam eras, retiring as a major in 1968; later worked for the Veterans Administration |
George Edward Wahlen (August 8, 1924 – June 5, 2009) was a United States Navy hospital corpsman who received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima while serving with the Marines.
Born in Ogden, Utah, Wahlen volunteered at age 17, trained as a Navy hospital corpsman, and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
Medal of Honor
[edit]During late February and early March 1945, Wahlen was wounded three separate times yet repeatedly advanced under intense fire to treat wounded Marines, at one point treating 14 casualties in a single action and later crawling 50 yards to aid a man after he could no longer walk. President Truman presented him the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1945. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army through the Korean and Vietnam eras, retiring as a major in 1968. A Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Utah is named in his honor.
Citation
[edit]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.