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Photo # NH 103902 :  Private First Class Donald J. Ruhl, USMCR

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-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Private First Class Donald J. Ruhl, USMCR, (1923-1945)

Donald Jack Ruhl was born on 2 July 1923 in Columbus, Montana. He graduated from high school there and worked as a laboratory assistant before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve in September 1942. After recruit and parachute training at San Diego, California, and promotion to Private First Class, he joined Company C, Third Parachute Battalion, Third Marine Division. In March 1943 Ruhl went to the south Pacific and, later in that year, saw combat during the Bougainville Campaign. In early 1944 he returned to the United States and transferred to Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division. He returned to the Pacific Theatre in September 1944.

With his unit, Private First Class Ruhl participated as a Rifleman during the Battle for Iwo Jima, landing on D-Day, 19 February 1945. During the next two days he demonstrated great bravery and initiative while attacking Japanese fortifications, scouting ahead of the lines and rescuing a wounded Marine under heavy fire. During the morning of 21 February, during an attack on enemy positions around Mount Surbachi, a grenade landed nearby. Instantly diving on the grenade, Ruhl absorbed its explosion with his body, sacrificing himself to save the lives of his fellow Marines. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" during the first two days of the bitter fight for Iwo Jima, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Donald J. Ruhl is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Greybull, Wyoming.

This page features the only images we have concerning Donald J. Ruhl.


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Photo #: NH 103907

Private First Class Donald J. Ruhl, USMCR


Photograph retouched for use in "All Hands" magazine's June 1947 issue.
Donald J. Ruhl was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on 19-21 February 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" Collection at the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 36KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103902

Private First Class Donald J. Ruhl, USMCR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 254.
Donald J. Ruhl received the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on 19-21 February 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 63KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Private First Class Donald J. Ruhl, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 254):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman in an Assault Platoon with Company E, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against the enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 to 21 February 1945. Quick to press the advantage after eight Japanese had been driven from a blockhouse on D-day, Private First Class Ruhl single-handedly attacked the group, killing one of the enemy with his bayonet and another by rifle fire in his determined attempt to annihilate the escaping troops. Cool and undaunted as the fury of hostile resistence steadily increased throughout the night, he voluntarily left the shelter of his tank trap early in the morning of D-day plus 1 and moved out under a tremendous volume of mortar and machine-gun fire to rescue a wounded Marine lying in an exposed position approximately 40 yards forward of the line. Half pulling and half carrying the wounded man, he removed him to a difiladed position, called for an assistant and a stretcher and, again running the gantlet of hostile fire, carried the casualty to an aid station some 300 yards distant on the beach. Returning to his platoon, he continued his valiant efforts, volunteering to investigate an apparently abandoned Japanese gun emplacement 75 yards forward of the right flank during consolidation of the front lines, and subsequently occupying the position through the night to prevent the enemy from repossessing the valuable weapon. Pushing forward in the assault against the vast network of fortifications surrounding Mt. Surbachi the following morning, he crawled with his platoon guide to the top of a Japanese bunker to bring fire to bear on enemy troops located on the far side of the bunker. Suddenly a hostile grenade landed betwen the two Marines. Instantly Private First Class Ruhl called a warning to his fellow Marine and dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the full impact of the shattering explosion in his own body and protecting all within range from the danger of the flying fragments although he might easily have dropped from his position on the edge of the bunker to the ground below. An indomitable fighter, Private First Class Ruhl rendered heroic service toward the defeat of a ruthless enemy, and his valor, initiative and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 12 July 2006
New image added and text revised 30 September 2006