The Recommendation
Two weeks later, the sweltering little island was in American hands... Company D's captain composed a lengthy recommendation that Private Rodger Young be awarded the Medal of Honor. One sentence read:
''Disregarding the orders of his platoon leader to come back, Rodger Young moved forward into the face of enemy fire...'' The regimental commander changed that to... ''Not hearing the orders . . .'' No one; in his regiment disobeyed orders, he remarked acidly.
The company commander also wrote letters to the next of kin of those in his unit who had been killed, including, of course, to the parents of Rodger Young.
A month later, Rodger's mother replied, thanking the captain for his note, commenting that Rodger's bravery made the loss of an only son a bit easier to bear, and asked for a small favor: '' Rodger was proud of being a staff sergeant. Since his body won't be returned to us until after the War, we would like to put up a little monument in our Clyde, Ohio, cemetery, and would it be permissible to write 'Staff Sgt. Rodger Young' on the tombstone? ''
The captain quickly put in a request to Division Headquarters, asking that Private Rodger Young be promoted posthumously back to staff sergeant. He recounted the original reason for the demotion, the posthumous Medal of Honor, and attached the request from Rodger's mother. The Army remained inflexible. The request was denied; a number of army regulations were cited justifying the turndown, and when the captain protested in a personal visit to Division Headquarters, he was told firmly that there was no appeal.
Furious . . . whipped . . . he had to write to Mrs. Young that '' for the time being, your wonderful son would have to remain a private. ''
But this bitter rejection turned into an amazing benefit. Most of the branches of the military service had songs, but the infantry did not. The War Department assigned songwriter Frank Loesser...to write a piece for the infantry . . . suggesting he read the Medals of Honor citations for inspiration, and instructing him that he must only focus on infantry privates . . . not sergeants . . . not officers . . . but privates!
There are many such stories of gallantry. Although this is written about one man, it could be the story of a host of American soldiers, sailors and airmen throughout Americas brief history. This man's story serves to illustrate for us another story of gallantry that is often told but little understood.
It is the story of a man who likewise made himself of no reputation in order to save the lives of many.
Like our hero, Rodger Young, this hero was also a man of small stature. Amazingly, this was foretold almost 800 years in advance:
"For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." Isaiah 53:2
He was not recognized as anything special - in fact He was hated without a cause.
Isaiah 53:3
"He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account."
Just as Rodger Young was a voluntary servant to his country, this man was a voluntary servant of His Father.
John 10:15
"As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."
He also took a voluntary demotion to a lesser rank...
Phil 2:7
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
He voluntarily stood between the enemy and his men; facing the enemy and receiving the full blast of their fury...
Rodger Young destroyed the enemy with a grenade toss while exposing himself to death. The Lord Jesus destroyed the enemy by His resurrection after having exposed Himself to the enemy's wrath:
Hebrews 2:14
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;"
His demotion to Private made it possible for a ballad of remembrance to be made to him and he was posthumously restored to his former rank of captain...
Phillipians 2:8,9
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:.."
He becomes the 'captain of their salvation' (Hebrews 2:10) to all who believe.
The story of Rodger Young is not only inspiring from a human point of view, but also for those on a spiritual quest, it brings light to the life and teachings of the Lord, Jesus Christ. For more information, personal testimonies of souls saved by Jesus Christ and other spiritual helps please follow the spirtual quest links.
Thank you for reading, May God richly bless you....
Steve McMurray
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