An American Soldier's request

The following is adapted from:

FRANKEL-Y SPEAKING  
ABOUT WORLD WAR II IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC by Stanley A. Frankel

http://www.frankel-y.com/tape004.htm

Rodger Young died on a little island called New Georgia. He died in such a way that he was awarded a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor and was chosen from among many heroes to be immortalized in a song of the infantry.

Oh, they’ve got no time for glory in the Infantry,
They’ve got no use for praises loudly sung,
But in every soldier’s heart in all the Infantry

Shines the name, shines the name of Rodger Young

Shines the name-- Rodger Young--
Fought and died for the men he marched among,
To the everlasting glory of the Infantry--

Lives the story of Private Rodger Young.

Rodger Young was a small man.

He grew up in the kind of blue-collar Midwestern town of Clyde, Ohio for which -- then and now -- high school sports is the heart of the community. But he was too light for the football team and too short to be a threat in basketball. He is said to have had a strong, accurate arm as a baseball infielder, though, which later served him well. In any case, he was a tough, enthusiastic competitor.

In a basketball game he was fouled and, with his legs knocked from under him, he hit the court head-on. He was struck unconscious but revived later in a hospital, apparently unharmed. Today, with better gadgets and more knowledge, it might have been clear that he had suffered some neurological damage.

Soon, he began to complain of deteriorating eyesight and hearing.

His parents got him eyeglasses, but he still began to flounder in school, having trouble seeing the blackboard or following what was being said. He dropped out and went to work in a factory, then, to bring in a little more cash, he signed up for the Ohio National Guard.

It should be enough to record that Rodger Young died a hero. But the facts show that he proved himself a hero several weeks before the fateful day that won him the nation’s highest honor. Yet perhaps only a half dozen of us know the real and complete story of his quiet gallantry.

This story is adapted with the intention of providing help to those on a spiritual quest. This man's example of self sacrifice serves to illustrate the high principles of God's love to us. Please read on...

The Request

It began on a humid day on Guadalcanal in June 1943. The 148th Infantry Regiment, Young's outfit, was girding for its next objective-- New Georgia Island with its insignificant but strategically vital Munda airstrip.

The company commander was busy that morning. He looked up sharply when Rodger Young, a thin, pale, and bespectacled staff sergeant, walked into his tent, saluted and said: '' Sir, I would like to request permission to be reduced to the rank of private. '' 

It was an odd request. 

'' What is your reason for wanting to be busted, Sergeant? '' the captain asked brusquely. 

'' Well, sir-- '' The little sergeant reddened, and continued haltingly, ''Well, you see, my ears are going bad. I can't hear very well any more. '' He swallowed, and then finished in a rush. 

"And I don't want any of my men killed in New Georgia because of me. ''

The C. O. 's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Was this a new twist in the technique of getting invalided home? 

'' What's the matter, Sergeant? '' he barked. '' Don't you want to fight? ''

Young stiffened. '' Sir, '' he said distinctly, '' I don't want to leave the outfit. I want to go on -- but as a private, so I'm only responsible for myself. I don't want to get anyone hurt because of me. '' His voice was thin and firm. 

'' If I thought I'd be left behind because of this, then I'd rather drop the whole thing. ''

He half sold the captain, and an hour later the company doctor confirmed Young's story. The sergeant's ears were in bad shape. '' Shall we send him to the field hospital? '' the doctor asked. 

'' No! '' Rodger Young answered emphatically.

The doctor shrugged and the captain made a gruff apology. He promised to get Sergeant Young reduced to the rank of private '' without prejudice, '' which he did the next day.

Three weeks later, the 148th Regiment (along with the rest of the 37th Division,) invaded New Georgia. The jungle was an almost impenetrable wall of vines and tangled undergrowth. The insects were unbearable, the food miserable, the water supply inadequate. At night, the 148th dug foxholes in mud and limestone. And, of course, there was always the enemy...

There is more to the story of course. You will have to wait for the next post for more. In the meantime, we do well to consider the action that Rodger Young took showed an attitude of considering others more important than himself.

In the scriptures we are told of an even greater sacrifice that God Himself made in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" Phillipians 2:6,7

He made that sacrifice for the likes of me and you who deserve nothing from Him but judgment and eternal separation from Him. He demoted Himself to a place of abject poverty that we through His poverty could be made rich (in spiritual things).

Most who read this may never realize how what spiritual poverty they are in. As a result, they will never be saved from God's just judgment.

How about you, friend?

Be sure to come back for more of this compelling story....

Steve McMurray