Dale Merlin Hansen

On 7 May 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, U.S. Marine Corps Private Dale Merlin Hansen continued attacking Japanese defenses even after his rocket launcher was destroyed and his rifle jammed. His determination during the fighting for Hill 60 earned him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration for valor.

Born on 13 December 1922 in Wisner, Nebraska, Hansen grew up working on his family's farm. After graduating from Wisner High School in 1940, he continued farming until entering the Marine Corps Reserve on 11 May 1944.

He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, followed by infantry instruction at Camp Pendleton. Training with the Browning Automatic Rifle demonstrated his marksmanship ability, and he subsequently received instruction with the rocket launcher.

Hansen sailed to the Pacific in November 1944 and joined Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, at Pavuvu in December. After further training and maneuvers in the Solomon Islands, he landed on Okinawa with his unit on 1 April 1945.

During the assault on Hill 60 on 7 May, Hansen advanced against fortified Japanese positions with a rocket launcher and destroyed a pillbox. When his weapon was destroyed, he continued with a rifle. After the rifle jammed during close combat, he returned for another weapon and grenades, advanced again, and destroyed a strong mortar position. His actions helped his company achieve its objective.

Four days later, on 11 May 1945, Hansen was killed by a Japanese sniper during the fighting at Wana-Dakeshi Ridge. He was 22 years old.

His Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to his parents at Wisner on 30 May 1946. Originally buried in the 1st Marine Division Cemetery on Okinawa, Hansen was returned to Nebraska for burial in Wisner Cemetery in 1948.

His courage during the Okinawa campaign remains an enduring example of individual initiative and determination in the face of overwhelming danger.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at 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 one-man assault. Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across, opened fire on six Japanese, and killed four before his rifle jammed. Attacked by the remaining two 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 eight 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.