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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army SP4 Dale E. Wayrynen.
Medal of Honor
Episode 3017 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army SP4 Dale E. Wayrynen. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and The Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial website.
In the heart of Vietnam’s perilous battlefield, U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Dale E. Wayrynen etched his name into history with an act of unparalleled heroism. Born in Minnesota, Wayrynen served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, during the Vietnam War. On May 18, 1967, in Quảng Ngãi Province, Wayrynen displayed the kind of extraordinary courage and selflessness that would earn him the Medal of Honor, the United States military’s highest award for valor.
During a night assault, his unit was ambushed by enemy forces. In the chaos, a live grenade landed in the middle of his squad. Without hesitation, SP4 Dale Wayrynen shouted a warning, pushed a fellow soldier to safety, and threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion. His self-sacrifice saved the lives of his comrades and left a lasting legacy of bravery.
Wayrynen’s Medal of Honor citation highlights his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” He was just 20 years old.
Today, Wayrynen is honored at the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial in Saint Paul, where his name is inscribed among the state’s bravest. His story is a profound reminder of the valor, sacrifice, and patriotism demonstrated by those who served in the Vietnam War. SP4 Dale E. Wayrynen’s legacy lives on, inspiring future generations to remember the cost of freedom and the heroes who paid it in full.
Listen to Episode 3017 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army SP4 Dale E. Wayrynen.
