b. 11/05/1919 Lindenwold, New Jersey. d. 08/12/1977 Stratford, New Jersey.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 15/09/1944 Peleliu Island, Palau Islands.
Carlton R Rouh MOH
Carlton Rouh enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a private one month after Pearl Harbor and fought in three Pacific campaigns. At Guadalcanal he earned the Silver Star Medal “for carrying wounded out under fire until wounded himself.” Moreover, “for outstanding leadership and initiative in combat”, he was given a field commission as a second lieutenant while at a rest camp in Australia. He commanded a machine gun platoon during the New Britain campaign.
First Lieutenant Rouh had been moving his mortar platoon near the top of a small coral ridge in preparation for digging in for the night, according to a field dispatch from SSgt James F. Moser Jr., a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent. 1stLt Rouh decided to inspect an apparently empty Japanese dugout before permitting his men to use it.
A few minutes before, a flame-throwing squad had blasted fire into the position. Near the entrance, two of the enemy lay dead. 1st Lt Rouh could hear nothing. He stepped over the pair, and into the dark interior, his carbine ready. Creeping along the wall, he could see stores of supplies. He saw no life.
Suddenly a shot rang out, hitting the lieutenant in the left side. He stumbled back to his men outside. Several Japanese followed, throwing grenades. Fragments filled the air. One grenade landed close to the lieutenant and two of his men. There was no escape, for the Japanese had held it too long to be thrown back.
Despite his weakened condition, Rouh shoved his two comrades to the ground to save them from flying fragments. He dropped his carbine and dove for the grenade. He was down on his elbows and one knee when the grenade exploded. His abdomen and chest caught the blast, and he sank to the ground. None of his men were hit.
Still conscious, Rouh could half hear and see the rest of the fight. Tommy gun rounds rang out, killing the remaining Japanese survivors. One of his men stood over him. First Lieutenant Rouh’s body was pock-marked by the grenade blast. One steel fragment had passed through his left lung and lodged near his heart. Other fragments sprayed his chest, left side and left arm.
Still under enemy artillery and mortar fire, he was given first aid by a passing doctor, and was carried back to a casualty evacuation point. “That was a miserable trip back,” he said. “I thought they would get all the men with me. But somehow we made it.”
Following his evacuation from Peleliu, he was hospitalized, and later honorably retired from active duty. For these actions, Rouh was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman at a White House ceremony on June 15, 1945, which included presentations to fellow Marine recipients Everett P. Pope and Luther Skaggs Jr., as well as Army recipient Gino J. Merli, for their heroism during actions in the Central Pacific and European theatres.
He was promoted to captain in the Reserves upon his retirement.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 15 September 1944. Before permitting his men to use an enemy dugout as a position for an 81-mm mortar observation post, 1st Lt. Rouh made a personal reconnaissance of the pillbox and, upon entering, was severely wounded by Japanese rifle fire from within. Emerging from the dugout, he was immediately assisted by two marines to a less exposed area but, while receiving first aid, was further endangered by an enemy grenade which was thrown into their midst. Quick to act in spite of his weakened condition, he lurched to a crouching position and thrust both men aside, placing his own body between them and the grenade and taking the full blast of the explosion himself. His exceptional spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Rouh and the U.S. Naval Service.
BURIAL LOCATION: BERLIN CEMETERY, BERLIN, NEW JERSEY.
TRACK 4, SECTION 5, BLOCK C, LOT 6, GRAVE 2.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
