Larry Dahl sacrificed his own life when he threw himself onto a grenade that landed in a truck in which he was riding. His actions saved the lives of other members in the vehicle with him. For his heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Date of birth: 10 Jun 1949 Date tour began: Date of casualty: 23 Feb 1971 Home of record: Portland, Oregon (born in Oregon City) Branch and Rank: Army, SP4 Unit: 359th Transportation Company, 27th Transportation Battalion Location of name on the Vietnam Wall: 5W,132 South Vietnam, Binh Dinh province Died through hostile action – sacrificed himself on a grenade, while saving other members of his company.
Awards: Medal of Honor, presented 8 Aug 1974. Purple Heart.
Schools Attended: grade schools in Oregon City, high school in Seattle Burial location: Willamette National Cemetery, Portland. Section H #3622-M Memorials: Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, DC), Oregon Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Portland), Dahl Memorial near the Circle of Honor in Oregon City (2051 Kaen Road), Medal of Honor Monument at Oregon Dept of Veterans Affairs (700 Summer St NE, Salem, Oregon), Medal of Honor Monument at Oregon State Capitol (Salem, Oregon), Medal of Honor Grove (Valley Forge, PA)
USNS Dahl, launched 2 Oct 1998. See photo above.
Lost but never forgotten Larry, I never got to meet you and it kills me inside. I was born 2 years and 4 months after your gallant deed. Our family has always displayed a level of devotion and selflessness that touches everyone around us. I sing your praises every year but can never sate the pain that is having never gotten to know you. Know that you are loved regardless and I'm looking forward to seeing you upon my own passing. I just hope you'll be ready for the most afterlife fun ever cause according to your brother, Arthur Eugene Dahl, that we were one and the same. With love and hopes of reunitement, Kelly Dahl. ******************************************************************** Thank You For Saving Lt Gross Sad to report that Lt. Thomas J. Gross, one whose life you saved that fateful day and who was instrumental in writing your citation passed away on 091206 at age 56. He suffered from PTSD and other Vietnam related ailments. He was a great friend and spoke highly of you. A framed rubbing from The Wall I took of your name always adorned his desk in our office.