b. 09/08/1924 Grace, Idaho. d. 17/10/1943 New Guinea.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 17/10/1943 near Finschafen, New Guinea.
Nathan K Van Noy MOH
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Grace, Idaho, he served as a Private in the 532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, US Army.
Near Finschafen, New Guinea, on October 17, 1943, Private Van Noy was in charge of a machinegun post at the water’s edge when enemy barges loaded with troops were approaching the beach. Despite his exposed position, he opened fire into the debarking enemy troops. When he was wounded and his loader was wounded by a grenade and evacuated, he remained at his post. Ignoring calls by nearby soldiers urging him to withdraw, he continued to fire and destroyed half of the enemy force which was landing before being killed. For conspicuous gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on February 26, 1944. His mother was presented with the Medal on March 17, 1944 in Preston, Idaho by Colonel A. E. Merrill.
MOH 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 machine-gun post only five yards from the water’s edge when the alarm was given that three 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 two beached 10 yards from Pvt. Van Noy’s emplacement. Despite his exposed position, he poured a withering hail of fire onto 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: GRACE CEMETERY, GRACE, IDAHO.
PLOT 80, BLOCK 2, LOT 5.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FORT DOUGLAS MILITARY MUSEUM, FORT DOUGLAS, UTAH.
