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Show Aug. 31, 1995 Medal winner says, 7 was just doing my job ' by Sue Berk Hilltop Times staff Nearly 50 years after receiving the Medal of Honor, Roy resident George E. Wahlen still has a hard time believing it happened to him. "I really can't believe this has happened to me," Wahlen numbly says about receiving the medal. "I was just doing my job." Wahlen, a Navy medical corpsman assigned to the 5th Marine Division, treated the wounded as they fought to capture I wo Jima during World War II. Even after being seriously wounded three times, he never gave up. "I was totally committed to what I was doing," Wahlen said. "I trained with those Marines for a whole year so you get pretty close. I had to keep going because I knew if I was replaced by another corpsman, he would probably be a friend." After 13 days, the United States flag was raised on the island and Wahlen, along with the other wounded, was evacuated. Wahlen spent the next two years recovering from his wounds. On Oct. 5, 1945, at a ceremony in Washington. D.C., Wahlen received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S Truman for his heroism and in caring for the Marines at Iwo Jima. The medal is the nation's highest honor a military member can receive. "War gives you a different outlook on life," Wahlen said. "You learn about commitment and service." For Wahlen, commitment and service were more than just words. After two years of civilian life. Wahlen joined the Army. He spent the next 20 years serving his country, including tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. In 1969, Wahlen retired from the Army and joined ) 15 Young man from Utah receives Medal of Honor On Oct. 5, 1945. Edward George PharmaMate Second Wahlen, cist's Ciass. U.S. Navy Reserve, of Ogden. Utah received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S Truman in a ceremony held at tht- White House. The cita .ion read: "For conspicuous Pharmacist's Mate intreSecond Class and gallantry E. Wahlen risk the at of George pidity his life aboie and Oct. 5, 1945 beyond the call of duty while serving with the 26th Marines. 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Group on March 3, 1945. Painfully wounded in the bitter action on February 26. Wahlen remained on the battlefield, advancing well forward of the front lines 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 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 the deadly fire of enemy rifles to care for the wounded working rapidly in an area swept by constant fire and treating 14 casualties before returning to his own platoon. Wounded again on March 2, he gallantly refused evacuation, moving out with his company the following day in a furious assault across 6(X) yards of open terrain and repeatedly rendering medical aid while exposed to the blasting fury and of powerful Japanese guns. indomitable, he preserved 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 skill and valor. Wahlen sen ed as a constant inspiration and contributed vitally to the high morale of his company during the 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 United States Xaval - - Ifrtp 1 ' ft V X I .0" f : 1 self-sacrifi- the Veterans Administration. For the next 12 years Wahlen worked to help veterans. "I really enjoyed working with the vets, Wahlen said. "And the employees at the VA were probably the most dedicated people I've worked with. I enjoyed that, too." Hilltop Times I George E. Wahlen Father, grandfather and August 1995 Stout-hearte- great-grandfath- er Today, Wahlen is actively involved with the Utah Military Veterans' Affairs Committee. The committee recently lobbied for a veteran's nursing home and cemetery and the work paid off. The nursing home will be located on the grounds of the VA Center in Salt Lake City. Land just north of Camp Williams has been set aside for the cemetery. "It's important to remember those who served." Wahlen said. "Freedom isn't free of millions of people." ! The battle for Iwo Jima was World War ll's bloodiest battle. Shown here is the initial wave of Marines fighting on the beach. Mount Sura- bachi is in the background. It was in this environment that George i -- it's the sacrifice 2 if' Service. d " - . FHt by L lowcry, Ltkntck Mogonn Wahlen provided medical aid for wounded Marines, and in the process performed deeds that merited receiving the Medal of Honor, |