Dale Eugene Wayrynen

Branch of Service: U.S. Army Date and Place: Quang Ngai, Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 May 1967 Date of Issue: Thursday, October 16, 1969 Rank: Specialist Fourth Class Unit:Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 101st Airborne Division

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Wayrynen distinguished himself with Company B, during combat operations near Duc Pho. His 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. Sp4c. Wayrynen, the second man in the formation, leaped beyond his fallen comrade to kill another enemy.