My father was part of the group that first captured the top of Sugar Loaf Hill on the evening of May 14, led by Major Courtney (who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor). My father was one of a handful of the men who first went up who was still alive the next morning. He lived 65 more years He was offered a silver star for his role in the battle but opted for a bronze star since he already had a silver star (for Guam). That gave him one more ribbon.
Wow. No wonder you knew about VDH. Powerful family story. I continue to pray that another U.S. generation will not have to go through that hell on earth.