Ken Harbaugh tells the stories of service members who have distinguished themselves through an act of valor. These stories feature recipients from the Civil War to present day, including a few who were originally overlooked for the medal.
Private Dale Merlin Hansen served in the Marine Corps during World War II. On May 7th, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, Hansen took matters into his own hands and crawled into an exposed, advanced position. He fired his rocket launcher, destroying an important Japanese pillbox before his weapon was broken by enemy fire. Finding a nearby rifle, he continued his advance, killing four enemies before it jammed. He then fought two more off with the butt of his weapon and took cover. From there, he was able to arm himself with several grenades and a new weapon. He advanced again, killing eight enemies and destroying a strong enemy mortar position all on his own.
Sadly, three days later, Hansen was mortally wounded by a sniper round while fighting at Dakeshi Ridge.
On May 30th, 1946, Private Dale Merline Hansen was posthumously awarded for his bravery and indomitable determination during the Battle of Okinawa.
Welcome to the Medal of Honor podcast, brought to you in partnership with the National Medal of Honor Museum. I’m Ken Harbaugh. In each episode, we’ll learn about a different service member who has distinguished him or herself through an act of valor.
Dale Merlin Hansen was born on December 13th, 1922 in Wisner Nebraska. While in school, he helped out on the family farm, and began working there full time after he graduated. In May 1944, at the age of 21, he enlisted in the Marine Corps reserve.
After completing training, Hansen and the rest of Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1 Marine Division were deployed to the Pacific. They landed in Okinawa on April 1st, 1945
Then Private Hansen and his unit joined the Battle of Okinawa as it entered its second month. Although the allies had already achieved victory in Europe, Japan was still standing. Taking Okinawa was crucial to setting up an anticipated invasion of mainland Japan.
On May 7th, 1945, Hansen’s unit was facing a formidable Japanese force as they attempted to take Hill 60 on the southern part of the island. Taking matters into his own hands, Hansen crawled to an exposed, advanced position on his own. He then fired his rocket launcher at an important enemy pillbox, destroying it with a direct hit. Right after, enemy fire destroyed his rocket launcher, so he quickly found a nearby rifle and continued forward. He reached the crest of a ridge and jumped across, where he was faced with six enemies. He quickly disposed of four with his rifle before it jammed, leaving him vulnerable. The final two enemies attacked Hansen, but he fended them both off with the butt of his weapon. He quickly climbed to cover, where he was able to find another weapon and a supply of grenades. Hansen returned to the fight, killing eight more enemies and destroying a strong mortar position all on his own. Thanks in no small part to Hansen, his unit was able to successfully capture Hill 60 two days later. Sadly, three days after his heroic charge, Hansen was mortally wounded by a sniper round while fighting at Dakeshi Ridge.
On May 30th, 1946, Private Dale Merlin Hansen was posthumously awarded for his bravery and indomitable determination during the Battle of Okinawa. The Medal of Honor was presented to his parents as a part of his hometown’s Memorial Day observance.
The Medal of Honor podcast is a production of Evergreen Podcasts.
Nathan Corson is our executive producer and mixing engineer, Declan Rohrs is our associate producer, scriptwriter, and recording engineer, and I’m Ken Harbaugh.
We are proud to support the National Medal of Honor Museum. To learn more, and to support their mission, go to mohmuseum.org. Thanks for listening.
