Oregon XIV

This memorial sits at one end of the parking lot of the Museum of the Oregon Territory. We did not have great directions and drove around for quite some time trying to find it. We pulled into the lot and decided to ask in the Museum, but it was closed. As we started to leave and move on to the next site, we noticed the flag flying high and there, nestled in the trees, was the memorial.

It honors a Medal of Honor recipient from Oregon City who gave his life for his fellow soldiers.

 Specialist Dahl's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

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

Sometimes, memorials are large and lavish, like The Wall in DC or any number of the others posted on this site, but, other times they are small, personal, dignified and every bit as poignant and important as is this one and the many others, also posted here.

Next time, on the 5th, we will revisit Washington, so join me there at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from Oregon, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.