WISNER – A special wreath laying ceremony took place this past weekend.
According to a release from American Legion Auxiliary/Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Chair for the Department of Nebraska, Beverly Neel, this was in recognition of US Marine Corps Private Dale Hansen.
Hansen gave the ultimate sacrifice during World War II at Okinawa. As a result of his heroism, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Vicki Ozenbaugh, past Department President of the Nebraska American Legion Auxiliary, laid the wreath at the gravesite of the late Private Dale Hansen next to his parents in the family plot on Sunday, September 24 at the Wisner Cemetery.
Hansen, born on December 13, 1922, was a member of Company E of the U. S. Marine Corps. He was stationed at Okinawa after enlisting in 1944 and serving alongside his brother, Don.
On May 7, 1945, armed with a rocket launcher, and later a rifle and supply of grenades, Hansen advanced a one-man assault on a Japanese pillbox, destroying a mortar position and annihilating a number of the enemy.
He died on May 11, one year after his enlistment. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded his country’s highest military honor on May 30, 1946.
The Marine military base in Okinawa has been named after him. The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President of the United States, “In the name of the United States Congress” for particular acts of valor and a deep love of country.
The first Medal of Honor presentation took place in 1863. For the past 160 years, 3,535 Americans have received the Medal of Honor. Of those, 73 are Nebraskans, with 33 buried across the state.
Vicki Ozenbaugh has chosen the project of placing a wreath at each of those burial sites.
During the Sunday, September 24 ceremony, the service began with prayers given by Hansen’s great-nephew and namesake, Dale Hansen of Wisner. Richard Schultz, serving as master of ceremonies, gave the welcome and led the Pledge of Allegiance, Adeline Hanel gave a history of the Medal of Honor and Ozenbaugh read Hansen’s story.
The military salute was provided by members of the Wisner American Legion Post 85 and Wisner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5767, closing with the playing of TAPS. A reception followed at the Wisner Senior Citizen Center.
