Larry Gilbert Dahl
Specialist Four, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Larry Gilbert Dahl was born on 10 June 1949 at Oregon City, OR. He was a Specialist Four in the U.S. Army and was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War.

Dahl joined the Army from Portland, OR, and on 23 February 1971, was serving as a Specialist Four in the 359th Transportation Company, 27th Transportation Battalion, U.S. Army Support Command. On that day, near An Khe in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Dahl smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body to protect those around him. For this self-sacrifice, Dahl was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Citation: Sp4. 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 Sp4. 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 Sp4. Dahl was riding. Instantly realizing the great danger, Sp4. 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, Sp4. Dahl saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own. Sp4. 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.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Larry Gilbert Dahl's name is inscribed on Panel 05W - Line 132.

Honors

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
• USNS Dahl (T-AKR-312), named in his honor.

Death and Burial

Specialist Four Larry Gilbert Dahl was killed in action on 23 February 1971. He is buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR.