Received an email this week from Bloom, Troy A CIV USA IMCOM

Sgt. Specker was not the only Engineer to receive the CMOH.

What about Pfc. Junior Van Noy? Thanks

I wrote this letter back this morning. Below my letter are some links regarding Pfc Van Noy. I always appreciate hearing from folks about our great engineers!

Dear Troy:

 

I truly appreciate the heads-up on Mr Van Noy. I will be more than happy to add the facts to our forum later this morning. However upon re-reading any references to Sgt Specker on my forum, I see no indication from either Al Kincer (may he rest in peace), nor myself, making any claims he was the only one. (your subject head: MOH incorrect info)

 

http://208.109.212.45/forum/index.php?show...&hl=Specker

 

Appreciatively,

Marion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Van_Noy

The following was taken from a great site listing Medal of Honor Recipients from WWII

http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-t-z.html

*VAN NOY, JUNIOR

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Headquarters Company, Shore Battalion, Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. Place and date: Near Finschafen, New Guinea, 17 October 1943. Entered service at: Preston, Idaho. Birth: Grace, Idaho. G.O. No.: 17, 26 February 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Finschafen, New Guinea, on 17 October 1943. When wounded late in September, Pvt. Van Noy declined evacuation and continued on duty. On 17 October 1943 he was gunner in charge of a machinegun post only 5 yards from the water's edge when the alarm was given that 3 enemy barges loaded with troops were approaching the beach in the early morning darkness. One landing barge was sunk by Allied fire, but the other 2 beached 10 yards from Pvt. Van Noy's emplacement. Despite his exposed position, he poured a withering hail of fire into the debarking enemy troops. His loader was wounded by a grenade and evacuated. Pvt. Van Noy, also grievously wounded, remained at his post, ignoring calls of nearby soldiers urging him to withdraw, and continued to fire with deadly accuracy. He expended every round and was found, covered with wounds dead beside his gun. In this action Pvt. Van Noy killed at least half of the 39 enemy taking part in the landing. His heroic tenacity at the price of his life not only saved the lives of many of his comrades, but enabled them to annihilate the attacking detachment.

http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/sta...noy_nathan.html

Here's to Junior Van Noy, and here's to Troy for turning me onto this great engineer hero!

Don't forget about PFC Wallace

WALLACE, HERMAN C.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 301st Engineer Combat Battalion, 76th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Prumzurley, Germany, 27 February 1945. Entered service at: Lubbock, Tex. Birth: Marlow, Okla. G.O. No.: 92, 25 October 1945. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. While helping clear enemy mines from a road, he stepped on a well-concealed S-type antipersonnel mine. Hearing the characteristic noise indicating that the mine had been activated and, if he stepped aside, would be thrown upward to explode above ground and spray the area with fragments, surely killing 2 comrades directly behind him and endangering other members of his squad, he deliberately placed his other foot on the mine even though his best chance for survival was to fall prone. Pvt. Wallace was killed when the charge detonated, but his supreme heroism at the cost of his life confined the blast to the ground and his own body and saved his fellow soldiers from death or injury.