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 BARSTOW, Calif. - Few acts of heroism and selflessness
can match jumping upon a live hand grenade in combat.
Designed to kill or injure in a large area, absorbing
the entire blast of a grenade with one's own body means
almost certain death. It is for this reason that several
service members throughout history have received the Medal
of Honor for this ultimate act of self-sacrifice.
Carlton R. Rouh however, is one of a very few men who have
fallen on a grenade and lived to tell the tale.
Born
May 11, 1919 in Lindenwold, N.J., Rouh enlisted in the
Marine Corps, January 1942, shortly after the outbreak of
World War II.
Following basic training, Pvt. Rouh was
sent to the pacific theater for combat duty.
Rouh
received the Silver Star Medal during the Battle of
Guadalcanal for carrying wounded men out of enemy fire,
until he himself was wounded. In addition to this, Rouh was
awarded a battlefield commission to second lieutenant for
his outstanding leadership and initiative in combat.
As an officer, Rouh was put in command of a weapons platoon
during the New Britain Campaign.
Rouh was promoted to
first lieutenant prior to the Battle of Peleliu where he
performed actions above and beyond the call of duty.
On September 15, 1944, during the Battle of Peleliu, Rouh
was severely wounded by Japanese fire. Two of his fellow
Marines managed to pull him away to a safer location and
began administering first aid.
While receiving first
aid, Rouh and his men came under fierce Japanese fire and
grenade assault, with one grenade landing in their midst.
Despite his injuries, Rouh shoved his two comrades aside and
threw his body over the grenade. Rouh's body absorbed the
entire blast, leaving his two Marines uninjured.
Still conscious, Rouh heard the continuing firefight, and
was eventually able to be evacuated. For his selfless
actions, Rouh received the Medal of Honor.
Following
his evacuation, Rouh was hospitalized to recover from his
grievous wounds. Upon his retirement from active duty, Rouh
was promoted to captain.
Rouh passed away December 8,
1977, but his actions and the actions of service members
like him continue to inspire people to this day.
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Garrett White
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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