While going down a rabbit hole on Youtube, found this gem: A WWII Army Dentist who killed 98 Japanese soldiers. Watch the video please.

As anyone who has been in the military can attest to, nobody can dish out pain like a dentist.

From Wikipedia: In 1940, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and began his military service as an infantry private, qualifying expert in rifle and pistol. In 1942, he was notified that he would become an officer in the Army Dental Corps and was commissioned a first lieutenant. In August 14, 1942, the 102nd Infantry Regt. commanding officer declared him the unit's "best all around soldier". In May 1943, he was serving as the regimental dental officer of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1944.[2]

In June 1944, Salomon saw his first combat — going ashore on Saipan with the 105th Infantry. With little dental work to do during active combat, Salomon volunteered to replace the 2nd Battalion's surgeon, who had been wounded. As the 2nd Battalion advanced, casualties were high. On July 7, Salomon's aid station was set up only 50 yards behind the forward foxhole line. Fighting was heavy and a major Japanese assault soon overran the perimeter, then the aid station. Salomon was able to kill the enemy that entered the hospital tent and ordered the wounded to be evacuated, while he stayed to cover their withdrawal.[2]

When an Army team returned to the site days later, Salomon's body was found slumped over a machine gun, with the bodies of 98 enemy troops piled up in front of his position. His body had 76 bullet wounds and many bayonet wounds, up to 24 of which may have been received while he was still alive.

He was denied a Medal Of honor due to a rule that medical personnel could not bear arms against the enemy. Later the rule was changed they could bear personal arms defending themselves, patients, and staff. The machine gun he used was considered a crew served weapon, not a personal weapon. Finally in 1998 Captain Solomon was awarded the Medal Of Honor.

Medal Of Honor Citation:

CAPTAIN BEN L. SALOMON
UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Captain Ben L. Salomon was serving at Saipan, in the Marianas Islands on July 7, 1944, as the Surgeon for the 2nd Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. The Regiment’s 1st and 2d Battalions were attacked by an overwhelming force estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 Japanese soldiers. It was one of the largest attacks attempted in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Although both units fought furiously, the enemy soon penetrated the Battalions’ combined perimeter and inflicted overwhelming casualties. In the first minutes of the attack, approximately 30 wounded soldiers walked, crawled, or were carried into Captain Salomon’s aid station, and the small tent soon filled with wounded men. As the perimeter began to be overrun, it became increasingly difficult for Captain Salomon to work on the wounded. He then saw a Japanese soldier bayoneting one of the wounded soldiers lying near the tent. Firing from a squatting position, Captain Salomon quickly killed the enemy soldier. Then, as he turned his attention back to the wounded, two more Japanese soldiers appeared in the front entrance of the tent. As these enemy soldiers were killed, four more crawled under the tent walls. Rushing them, Captain Salomon kicked the knife out of the hand of one, shot another, and bayoneted a third. Captain Salomon butted the fourth enemy soldier in the stomach and a wounded comrade then shot and killed the enemy soldier. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Captain Salomon ordered the wounded to make their way as best they could back to the regimental aid station, while he attempted to hold off the enemy until they were clear. Captain Salomon then grabbed a rifle from one of the wounded and rushed out of the tent. After four men were killed while manning a machine gun, Captain Salomon took control of it. When his body was later found, 98 dead enemy soldiers were piled in front of his position. Captain Salomon’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.




RIP Captain Salomon.

Cool story, but could you edit it to remove the two redundant paragraphs?

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
Cool story, but could you edit it to remove the two redundant paragraphs?

Done. Thanks for pointing it out. That portion didn't paste where I wanted it to.

Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzw1_2b-I7A

Badass. Thanks for posting the story.

I was thinking he just killed them with dental tools. A little disappointed.

He drilled them all!!

https://youtu.be/nV-Zw2pj4Hs

A rather funny perspective about Capt Salomon.

quote:

Originally posted by Shifferbrains:
He drilled them all!!

Got their fillings?

I didn't see the video yet.
How was it determined that he alone killed the 98?

Regardless if he only killed one with the machine gun, a true self sacrificing hero holding off the enemy and helping the wounded escape.

Thanks for bringing his story to our attention.

quote:

Originally posted by TRIO:
I didn't see the video yet.
How was it determined that he alone killed the 98?

Regardless if he only killed one with the machine gun, a true self sacrificing hero holding off the enemy and helping the wounded escape.

Thanks for bringing his story to our attention.

The guys on the machine gun were killed early on. Captain Solomon was the only one staying to guard the retreat of the wounded and staff from the Aid Station. Prior to getting to the machine gun, Captain Solomon killed several enemy soldiers who made it to the Aid Station tent, by gun, bayonet, and butt stroke.