Edward Dahlgren; WWII hero earned Medal of Honor

By Associated Press | June 2, 2006

CARIBOU, Maine -- Edward Dahlgren, a World War II veteran who received the Medal of Honor for spearheading the rescue of a platoon of fellow soldiers that was surrounded during a German counterattack, died Wednesday at the Maine Veterans Home in Caribou. He was 90.

Mr. Dahlgren, a sergeant in the 36th Infantry Division, captured about 40 German soldiers while killing and wounding several others during combat in France on Feb. 11, 1945.

According to his citation, in a period that lasted only several minutes, Sergeant Dahlgren encountered and attacked, usually by himself, six entrenched German positions. His actions allowed the platoons to escape.

``I was afraid before it happened and after it happened," Mr. Dahlgren said in an interview 14 years ago. ``But in battle I just acted on the spur of the moment."

Mr. Dahlgren, whose other medals included the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and the French Croix de Guerre, was discharged from the Army as a second lieutenant.

A native of Woodland, he lived in Blaine and worked for 40 years as a seed potato inspector for the state.

Mr. Dahlgren was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient who was a full-year resident of Maine, Governor John Baldacci said.

Baldacci said Mr. Dahlgren recounted to him a month ago his surprise at the great emotion displayed by President Harry Truman when he presented him with the Medal of Honor more than 60 years ago.

``Ed was a humble man," Baldacci said. ``Even after all these years he found it hard to believe someone like the president of the United States would give him such praise and honor."

A street in Caribou and a hall at the former Loring Air Base were named after Mr. Dahlgren.

The initial announcement of his death came from Senator Susan Collins, who said ``America has lost a true hero with the passing of Eddie Dahlgren."

``He was a great man who was well liked and respected not only by his fellow veterans but also by all those who had the privilege and good fortune of knowing him," Collins said.

Mr. Dahlgren leaves his wife Pauline; sons Brian of Strafford, N.H., and Michael of Madawaska; daughters Susan Daigneault of North Berwick and Judith Johnston of Mars Hill; and stepson Garold ``Chick" Mahan of Van Buren.

A funeral Mass will be said Monday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Presque Isle. Flags will be flown at half staff throughout the state that day, Baldacci said.


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