05FEB1945: Serving as a platoon leader during the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines, T/Sgt Donald Rudolph was tending to wounded Soldiers when he noticed a few enemy fighters firing on his position. He maneuvered under fire to where he could assault the three fighters set back in a culvert and destroyed all three with rifle fire and grenades. He then noticed a series of enemy bunkers that had pinned down his entire company. Crawling under fire to the first location, Rudolph charged and threw a grenade into the firing port. Once detonated, he moved to the top of the bunker and ripped the steel covering off in order to drop another grenade inside, silencing the position. From there, with covering fire from his men, he moved to the second bunker. At that point, he acquired a pick axe and once at the bunker, broke through the top cover and dropped more grenades inside, killing all and neutralizing the position. T/Sgt Rudolph went on to clear six more bunkers in short order. Later that day, as his unit came under fire from enemy armor. Rudolph charged a Japanese tank and climbed on top under fire the entire time. He then forced open the turret and dropped a white phosphorus grenade inside, killing the crew and ending the threat. Rudolph would be promoted to second lieutenant, would survive the war and was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman eight days after the Japanese surrender.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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