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Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve,
1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Peleliu
Island, Palau group, 15 September 1944. Entered service at: New Jersey.
Birth: 11 May 1919, Lindenwold, N.J. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
while attached to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division,
during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau group,
15 September 1944. Before permitting his men to use an enemy dugout as
a position for an 81-mm. mortar observation post, 1st Lt. Rouh made a personal
reconnaissance of the pillbox and, upon entering, was severely wounded
by Japanese rifle fire from within. Emerging from the dugout, he was immediately
assisted by 2 marines to a less exposed area but, while receiving first
aid, was further endangered by an enemy grenade which was thrown into their
midst. Quick to act in spite of his weakened condition, he lurched to a
crouching position and thrust both men aside, placing his own body between
them and the grenade and taking the full blast of the explosion himself.
His exceptional spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice in the face of almost
certain death reflects the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Rouh and the U.S.
Naval Service.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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