Donald E. Rudolph-Minneapolis, MN
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 44° 51.948 W 093° 13.320
15T E 482462 N 4968066
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action at Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands on February 5, 1945. He is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis MN in Section DS, Site 22-S.
Waymark Code: WMX7RN
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date Posted: 12/09/2017
Views: 1
He was born on February 21, 1921 in South Haven, MN and died on May 25, 2006 in Bovey, MN. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: RUDOLPH, DONALD E.
• Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 20th Infantry, 6th Infantry Division
• Place and date: Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 5 February 1945
• Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn.
• G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945
Citation: 2d Lt. Rudolph (then T/Sgt.) was acting as platoon leader at Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands. While administering first aid on the battlefield, he observed enemy fire issuing from a nearby culvert. Crawling to the culvert with rifle and grenades, he killed 3 of the enemy concealed there. He then worked his way across open terrain toward a line of enemy pillboxes which had immobilized his company. Nearing the first pillbox, he hurled a grenade through its embrasure and charged the position. With his bare hands he tore away the wood and tin covering, then dropped a grenade through the opening, killing the enemy gunners and destroying their machinegun. Ordering several riflemen to cover his further advance, 2d Lt. Rudolph seized a pick mattock and made his way to the second pillbox. Piercing its top with the mattock, he dropped a grenade through the hole, fired several rounds from his rifle into it and smothered any surviving enemy by sealing the hole and the embrasure with earth. In quick succession he attacked and neutralized 6 more pillboxes. Later, when his platoon was attacked by an enemy tank, he advanced under covering fire, climbed to the top of the tank and dropped a white phosphorus grenade through the turret, destroying the crew. Through his outstanding heroism, superb courage, and leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety, 2d Lt. Rudolph cleared a path for an advance which culminated in one of the most decisive victories of the Philippine campaign.
Armed Service: Army
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