Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his family) from Vice President Gerald R. Ford at Blair House, Washington DC, on August 8, 1974, for his actions as a specialist fourth class with the 359th Transportation Company, 27th Transportation Battalion, US Army Support Command, on February 23, 1971 at An Khe, Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam. He joined the US Army in 1969 and on the date in question, he was riding with a fuel convoy when he sacrificed his own life after smothering a live grenade with his body that landed in his truck, saving the lives of other members in the vehicle with him. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Sp4c. Dahl distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gunner on a gun truck near An Khe, Binh Dinh Province. The gun truck in which Sp4c. Dahl was riding was sent with 2 other gun trucks to assist in the defense of a convoy that had been ambushed by an enemy force. The gun trucks entered the battle zone and engaged the attacking enemy troops with a heavy volume of machine gun fire, causing a large number of casualties. After a brief period of intense fighting the attack subsided. As the gun trucks were preparing to return to their normal escort duties, an enemy hand grenade was thrown into the truck in which Sp4c. Dahl was riding. Instantly realizing the great danger, Sp4c. Dahl called a warning to his companions and threw himself directly onto the grenade. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp4c. Dahl saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own. Sp4c. Dahl's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the U.S. Army."