Army Spc. Michael A. Dahl Jr.: Beaumont, CA Hero

Army Spc. Michael A. Dahl Jr.
Born March 21, 1986 (Beaumont, California)
Died October 17, 2009 (Argahndab, Afghanistan)

Military Assignment:
1st Battalion
17th Infantry Regiment
5th Stryker Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
Fort Lewis, Washington

The man who his fellow soldiers described as honest, humble, caring, fun-loving and easy-going died October 17, 2009, in Argahndab, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by a improvised explosive device, also known as an IED or roadside bomb. He first served in Iraq as a member of the Army Reserve. He took an Arabic class at Riverside Community College before heading to Baghdad. When he returned from combat, he chose to sign up for active duty and was deployed to Afghanistan. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal — Mobilized, Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is survived by his father, Mike, his mother, Patricia, and his brother Angel in California.

His body went from Afghanistan, through Al Udib Air Base in Qatar to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where it was received by his family. From there it was flown to March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley, CA, and sent to Weaver Mortuary, which is just two blocks from his childhood home in Beaumont, CA. His final resting place is at is at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

At a ceremony held at Fort Lewis held in honor of Army Spc. Michael A. Dahl Jr., several soldiers left dog tags or coins imprinted with the name of Dahl’s unit. Several women left white roses.

In Beaumont, CA, the name of native son Michael Dahl, Jr. will forever be etched on the veteran’s memorial wall in the town where he grew up before making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. On Memorial Day 2010, the U.S. Army Specialist will be honored when his name becomes the 204th inscribed on the Beaumont Veterans Memorial — a living tribute to local members of the Armed Forces who have defended our country’s freedom.

Related posts:

1. Medal of Honor: Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta
2. Randy E. King & Michael Beaumont, M.I.T., Join Forces to Produce Patriotic Awareness Book: Duplicitous
3. storiesofusa: http://operationkidzkomfort.net/ – Motocross Champ Sara Price now ambassador for Operation Kidz Komfort Beaumont CA
4. storiesofusa: http://operationkidzkomfort.info/ – Motocross Champ Sara Price now ambassador for Operation Kidz Komfort Beaumont CA
5. Jim Ragan, Beaumont, Carol’s Kitchen President, True Patriot Passed Away