Dirk was born 26 June 1916 at Maple Lake, Minnesota.
Dirk Vlug died 24 June 1996 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He entered the U. S. Army at Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was Private First Class, 126^th Infantry, 32^nd Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 15 December 1944.

Vlug displayed conspicuous gallantry beyond the call of duty when an American roadblock on the Ormoc Road was attacked by enemy tanks. He left his cover and with a rocket launcher advanced alone under machinegun and 37 mm. Fire with 6 rounds of ammunition.

Singlehandedly, he destroyed the first tank, killing its occupants. As the crew of the second tank started to dismount and attack him, he filled one and forced the survivors to return to their vehicle which he destroyed. Three more hostile tanks moved up, he flanked the first, eliminating it and pressed forward despite enemy fire and destroyed another. He struck the remaining tank causing it to crash with his remaining round of ammunition. Through his heroism he destroyed five enemy tanks and helped greatly to accomplish his battalion’s mission.