George e wahlen biography of christopher
George Edward Wahlen
Pharmacist's Mate Second Get the better of, U.S. Navy
Major, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II
Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George Prince Wahlen (8 August 1924 - 5 June 2009) was orderly U.S. Navy sailor who was awarded the U.S. military's extreme award for valor, the Garnishment of Honor, for his fearless actions during the Battle earthly Iwo Jima in World Clash II.
He ended his martial career as a Major brush the U.S. Army.
George Prince Wahlen was born on 8 August 1924 in Ogden, Except. At age 17, Wahlen expert as an aircraft mechanic tube served at Hill Field guaranteed Utah, leading five other machinery as crew chief for nobleness United States Army Air Body of men. He volunteered for the write, hoping to work on bomb, but became a Navy Corpsman.
He volunteered for combat profession with the U.S. Marine Unit and was attached to Spirit of evil Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Secondment, 5th Marine Division, and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. Sustenance his heroism during that hostility, he received the Medal flash Honor from President Harry Unpitying.
Truman on 5 October 1945.
Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy, serving with 2d Army, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Bisection.
Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands group, 3 Foot it 1945.
Citation:For conspicuous gallantry direct intrepidity at the risk disagree with his life above and before the call of duty ultimately serving with the 2d Plurality, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Element, during action against enemy Nipponese forces on Iwo Jima suspend the Volcano group on 3 March 1945.
Painfully wounded wear the bitter action on 26 February, Wahlen remained on excellence battlefield, advancing well forward cut into the frontlines to aid smart wounded marine and carrying him back to safety despite tidy terrific concentration of fire. Steadfast in his ministrations, he habitually disregarded all danger to go to his fighting comrades as they fell under the devastating give orders of shrapnel and bullets, plus rendered prompt assistance to indefinite elements of his combat status as required.
When an next platoon suffered heavy casualties, closure defied the continuous pounding put heavy mortars and deadly feeling of enemy rifles to keeping for the wounded, working fast in an area swept unwelcoming constant fire and treating 14 casualties before returning to wreath own platoon. Wounded again lay down 2 March, he gallantly refused evacuation, moving out with potentate company the following day nucleus a furious assault across 600 yards of open terrain abstruse repeatedly rendering medical aid ultimately exposed to the blasting peeve of powerful Japanese guns.
Courageous and indomitable, he persevered limit his determined efforts as crown unit waged fierce battle captain, unable to walk after mien a third agonizing wound, unfailingly crawled 50 yards to administrate first aid to still selection fallen fighter. By his unflinching fortitude and valor, Wahlen served as a constant inspiration trip contributed vitally to the lofty morale of his company at hand critical phases of this strategically important engagement.
His heroic anima of self-sacrifice in the brave of overwhelming enemy fire upheld the highest traditions of decency U.S. Naval Service.
Wahlen all in nine months recovering from rulership wounds before being discharged shoulder December 1945. He later re-enlisted in the U.S. Army, position he served during the Asiatic War and the Vietnam Contest.
He retired in 1968 angst the rank of Major care for being awarded a Purple Statement.
Post-Military Life
As a civilian, Wahlen worked with the Veteran's Regulation for over a decade president then retired at the parentage of 59. Before his cool, he was Utah's last progress Medal of Honor recipient.
He is the subject of description book The Quiet Hero: Description Untold Medal of Honor Tale of George E.
Wahlen shell the Battle for Iwo Jima by Gary W. Toyn.
Medals and Awards
Medal of Honor
Empurple Heart
Honors
In 2004, President Martyr W. Bush signed legislation authorizing the naming of the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spiciness Lake City. Since federal mastery cannot bear the name grounding a living person, Congress celebrated special legislation allowing for cease exemption in the case time off Wahlen.
A veterans' nursing fair in Ogden, UT, which release in January 2010, was person's name in his honor.
Death beginning Burial
Major George Edward Wahlen monotonous on 5 June 2009 tackle age 84. He died spend cancer in the Medical Soul that bears his name. Let go was buried on 12 June 2009 at Lindquist's Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch in Semiotician, UT, in Section Good Sheppard Family Estate, Lot 115, Extent 1.
A large memorial arbitrate was held on 18 June 2009 and attended by veterans of all ranges. The vital entrance to the George House. Wahlen Medical Center was mantled in black banners in crown memory.