Existing comment:
George Edward Wahlen
George Edward Wahlen was born August 8, 1924, to Albert George and Doris Lythgoe Wahlen of West Ogden, Utah. After attending Weber High School, George entered the U.S. Navy in June 1943. He completed several months of medical training and was assigned as a medical corpsman to 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. A year of combat training had been completed when the 5th Marine Division received orders to land on the island of Iwo Jima. It was during the ensuing 13 days of combat on this island that pharmacist's mate second class Wahlen was wounded on three seperate occasions. He was transported to the U.S. Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, where he endured a ten month recovery. October 3, 1945 pharmacist's mate second class Wahlen was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman.
George was discharged from the U.S. Navy on December 20, 1945. He married Melba Holley of Slaterville, Utah, on August 16, 1946. George obtained as associate degree from Weber College, Ogden, Utah. He then entered the U.S. Army where he served in numerous capacities for 20 years. During this period of time he served a tour of duty in Korea and Vietnam. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Church College of Hawaii. In 1969, George Wahlen retired from the Armed Forces and established his residence in Roy, Utah. Following his retirement from the Armed Services, Mr. Wahlen was employed by the Veterans Administration for 12 years where he earned the "Direct Service to Public" Award. Also at this time he completed two years of graduate study at the University of Utah.
Mr. Whalen, a father and grandfather, has been a citizen of Roy since 1969. His personal awards include: The Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, three Purple Hearts, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars.
Medal of Honor Citation Reads as Follows:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2 D Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Group on 3 March 1945. Painfully wounded in bitter action on 26 February, Whalen remained on the battlefield, advancing well forward of the frontlines to aid a wounded Marine and carrying him back to safety despite a terrific concentration of fire. Tireless in his ministrations, he consistently disregarded all danger to attend to his fighting comrades as they fell under the devastating rain of shrapnel and bullets, and rendered prompt assistance to various elements of his combat group as required. When an adjacent platoon suffered heavy casualties, he defied the continuous pounding of heavy mortars and deadly fire of enemy rifles to care for the wounded. Working rapidly in an area swept by constant fire and treating fourteen casualties before returning to his own platoon. Wounded again on 2 March, he gallantly refused evacuation, moving out with his company the following day in a furious assault across 600 yards of open terrain and repeatedly rendering medical aid while exposed to the blasting fury of powerful Japanese guns. Stouthearted and indomitable, he persevered in his determined efforts as his unit waged fierce battle, and unable to walk after sustaining a third agonizing wound, resolutely crawled 50 yards to administer first aid to still another fallen fighter. By his dauntless fortitude and valor, Wahlen served as a constant inspiration and contributed vitally to the high morale of his company during critical phases of this strategically important engagement. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming enemy fire upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."
We honor him and all of our military heroes especially those who paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy. |