It was December 15, 1944, while he was serving as a private first class in the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division when Vlug single-handedly destroyed five enemy tanks.  Here is the chronology of what happened:

• He left his covered position, and with a rocket launcher and 6 rounds of ammunition, advanced alone under intense machine gun and 37-mm. fire.
   
• Loading single-handedly, he destroyed the first tank, killing its occupants with a single round.
   
• As the crew of the second tank started to dismount and attack him, he killed 1 of the foe with his pistol, forcing the survivors to return to their vehicle, which he then destroyed with a second round.
   
• Three more hostile tanks moved up the road, so he flanked the first and eliminated it.
   
• He then, despite a hail of enemy fire, pressed forward again to destroy another.
   
• With his last round of ammunition he struck the remaining vehicle, causing it to crash down a steep embankment.

Through his sustained heroism in the face of superior forces, Pfc. Vlug alone destroyed 5 enemy tanks and greatly facilitated successful accomplishment of his battalion's mission.

Dirk John Vlug was awarded the Medal of Honor a year and a half later, on June 26, 1946.  Vlug passed away in 1996.