Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Johan
Bernhard
Dahlen
1905-01-01

–

1976

Born:

Luverne

, 

Minnesota

Home:

Luverne

, 

Minnesota

Buried: 

Luverne

, 

Minnesota

Cemetery:

Maplewood Cemetery

Born and raised in Luverne, Minnesota, to prepare for the ministry Johan Dahlen attended Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduating in 1930, he was ordained a Lutheran minister. He served as pastor of Palermo Lutheran Parish in Palermo, North Dakota, until entering military service early in World War II. He served with the 1st Infantry Division during the invasion of North Africa, serving in Oran, Kasserine, and Tunisia, and then landed with the Division during the invasion of Sicily. He returned with the Division to England and then participated in his third amphibious landing of the war at Normandy, France, on D-Day, earning a Silver Star on the first day of the invasion. After the war he pastored churches at Churches Ferry and Balfour, North Dakota, before retiring in 1970.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944
    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 32 (July 9, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Johan Bernhard Dahlen (ASN: 0-504122), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Chaplain Dahlen landed with an assault battalion at H-Hour on D-Day. All day long he was up and down the most hotly contested section of the beach, helping with the wounded, wading into the water to help pull others to safety, and giving a word of encouragement to those who needed it. Chaplain Dahlen’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.