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Hansen, Dale Merlin

Date of birth:
December 13th, 1922 (Wisner/Nebraska, United States)
Date of death:
May 11th, 1945 (Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan)
Buried on:
American War Grave Wisner Cemetery
Nationality:
American

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private
Unit:
Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division "The Old Breed", U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded for:
Operation Iceberg
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 7 May 1945. Cool and courageous in combat, Pvt. Hansen unhesitatingly took the initiative during a critical stage of the action and, armed with a rocket launcher, crawled to an exposed position where he attacked and destroyed a strategically located hostile pillbox. With his weapon subsequently destroyed by enemy fire, he seized a rifle and continued his 1-man assault. Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across, opened fire on 6 Japanese and killed 4 before his rifle jammed. Attacked by the remaining 2 Japanese, he beat them off with the butt of his rifle and then climbed back to cover. Promptly returning with another weapon and supply of grenades, he fearlessly advanced, destroyed a strong mortar position and annihilated 8 more of the enemy. In the forefront of battle throughout this bitterly waged engagement, Pvt. Hansen, by his indomitable determination, bold tactics and complete disregard of all personal danger, contributed essentially to the success of his company's mission and to the ultimate capture of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His great personal valor in the face of extreme peril reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service."
Medal of Honor - Navy/Marine Corps (MoH)

Sources

  • Photo 1: U.S. Marine Corps
  • - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
    - McMillan, G., The Old Bree – A History of the First Marine Division in World War II, The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 2001

Photo