Dale Eugene Wayrynen

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Dale Eugene Wayrynen (ASN: 17721421), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Duc Pho, Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 May 1967. Specialist Fourth Class Wayrynen's platoon was assisting in the night evacuation of the wounded from an earlier enemy contact when the lead man of the unit met face-to-face with a Viet Cong soldier. The American's shouted warning also alerted the enemy who immediately swept the area with automatic weapons fire from a strongly built bunker close to the trail and threw hand grenades from another nearby fortified position. Almost immediately, the lead man was wounded and knocked from his feet. Specialist Fourth Class Wayrynen, the second man in the formation, leaped beyond his fallen comrade to kill another enemy soldier who appeared on the trail, and he dragged his injured companion back to where the point squad had taken cover. Suddenly, a live enemy grenade landed in the center of the tightly grouped men. Specialist Fourth Class Wayrynen, quickly assessing the danger to the entire squad as well as to his platoon leader who was nearby, shouted a warning, pushed one soldier out of the way, and threw himself on the grenade at the moment it exploded. He was mortally wounded. His deep and abiding concern for his fellow soldiers was significantly reflected in his supreme and courageous act that preserved the lives of his comrades. Specialist Fourth Class Wayrynen's heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the service, and they reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 66 (October 27, 1969)

Action Date: 18-May-67

Service: Army

Rank: Specialist Fourth Class

Company: Company B

Battalion: 2d Battalion

Regiment: 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade

Division: 101st Airborne Division