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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Specialist 4th Class Larry G. Dahl, US Army
359th Trans Co, 27th Trans Battalion, 8th Trans Group Specialist 4 Dahl was killed in action while assigned as a machine gunner on a gun truck near An Khe, Binh Dinh Province, 23 February 1971.
Specialist Dahl's gun truck and two others were sent to assist in the defense of a convoy under ambush by the enemy. They engaged the enemy with a heavy volume of machinegun fire, causing a large number of casualties.
As the gun trucks were preparing to return to normal escort duties, an enemy hand grenade was thrown into Dahl's truck. Realizing the danger, Dahl shouted to his companions and threw himself directly onto the grenade. He saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own.
For his courage, concern and extraordinary heroism, Specialist Larry Dahl was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, 359th Transportation Company, 27th Transportation Battalion, U.S. Army Support Command. Place and date: An Khe, Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 23 February 1971. Entered service at: Portland, Oreg. Born: 6 October 1949, Oregon City, Oreg. Citation: Sp4c. Dahl distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gunner on a gun truck near An Khe, Binh Dinh Province. The gun truck in which Sp4c. Dahl was riding was sent with 2 other gun trucks to assist in the defense of a convoy that had been ambushed by an enemy force. The gun trucks entered the battle zone and engaged the attacking enemy troops with a heavy volume of machine gun fire, causing a large number of casualties. After a brief period of intense fighting the attack subsided. As the gun trucks were preparing to return to their normal escort duties, an enemy hand grenade was thrown into the truck in which Sp4c. Dahl was riding. Instantly realizing the great danger, Sp4c. Dahl called a warning to his companions and threw himself directly onto the grenade. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp4c. Dahl saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own. Sp4c. Dahl's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.
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