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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Kenneth Harry Dahlberg (ASN: 0-733838), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the European Theater of Operation on 1 December 1944. After the bombs had been dispatched upon the objective, Captain Dahlberg and his wingman became separated from their formation when they gave chase to a jet propelled enemy aircraft. Returning home, Captain Dahlberg, disregarding the superior numbers, turned into thirty ME-109’s and in quick succession attacked and destroyed two ME-109’s. So successful was Captain Dahlberg’s attack that his wingman was able to destroy another of the enemy, while the remainder jettisoned their auxiliary tanks and withdrew. The skilful and aggressive combat technique displayed by Captain Dahlberg in this engagement reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 267 (November 13, 1944)

    (UNCONFIRMED – Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Kenneth Harry Dahlberg (ASN: 0-733838), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane with the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Dahlberg, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 16, 1944
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 267 (November 13, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Kenneth Harry Dahlberg (ASN: 0-733838), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 16 August 1944. While participating in an engagement with more than fifty enemy aircraft in the vicinity of Paris, Lieutenant Dahlberg’s aircraft sustained severe battle damage. Despite impaired visibility, he vigorously pressed home his attacks upon the hostile planes and by his superior flying skill and brilliant tactical technique he succeeded in destroying three of them before damage to his own plane forced him to abandon it. The extraordinary courage and devotion to duty which he displayed on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    February 14 – April 29, 1945

    Captain (Air Corps) Kenneth Harry Dahlberg (ASN: 0-733838), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on 14 February 1945, and was interned as a Prisoner of War until his recover on 29 April 1945.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 19, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 55 (May 27, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Kenneth Harry Dahlberg (ASN: 0-733838), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 19 December 1944, over Germany. On that date, Captain Dahlberg was serving as flight commander during an armed reconnaissance mission near Trier, Germany, when a formation of more than ninety enemy fighters was observed. Despite the enemy’s vast numerical superiority, Captain Dahlberg led his eight-ship flight in a direct attack upon the hostile force. Although his wingman was forced to break combat, Captain Dahlberg relentlessly attacked the enemy, destroying four of their aircraft and damaging another. The extraordinary heroism and determination of this officer to destroy the enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.