Loren Douglas Hagen – First Lieutenant, United States Army

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Born at Fargo, North Dakota, February 15, 1946, he earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam on August 7, 1971.

He was distinguished in action while serving as a team leader of a small reconnaissance team operating deep within enemy-held territory.

At approximately 0630 hours on the morning of August 7, 1971, the small team came under a fierce assault by a superior-sized enemy force using heavy small arm, automatic weapons, mortar and rocket fire. He immediately began returning small arms fire upon the attackers and successfully led the team in repelling the first enemy onslaught. He then quickly deployed the team into a more strategic defensive location before the enemy struck again in an attempt to overrun and annihilate the beleagured team’s members.

He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire directed at him as he constantly moved about the team’s perimeter, directing fire, rallying the team members, and re-supplying the team with ammunition, while courageously returning small arms fire and hand grenade fire in a valorous attempt to repel the advancing enemy force. The courageous actions and expert leadership abilities of Hagen were a great source of inspiration and instilled confidence in the team members.

After observing an enemy rocket make a direct hit on and destroy one of the team’s bunkers, he moved toward the wrecked bunker in search of team members despite the fact that the enemy force now totally occupied the bunker area. With total disregard for his personal safety, he crawled through the enemy fire while returning small arms fire upon the enemy force. Undaunted by enemy rockets and grenades impacting all around him, he desperately advanced upon the destroyed bunker until he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire.

With complete disregard for his personal safety, his courageous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service of the United States and reflect great credit upon him and the U.S. Army.

The Medal of Honor was presented to Lieutenant Hagen’s father by President Gerald Ford at the White House on August 8, 1974.

He was subsequently returned to the United States for burial in Section 28 of Arlington National Cemetery.  The following person is also buried in Arlington National Cemetery and research continues.

HAGEN, LOREN

  • PVT L 16TH 1ST DIV
  • DATE OF DEATH: 10/06/1918
  • BURIED AT:
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

HAGEN, Loren, Private, (Glasgow, Montana, World War I Honor Roll – Died of Wounds)

HAGEN, LOREN D

  • 1LT   US ARMY
  • VIETNAM
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 02/25/1946
  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/07/1971
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 28  SITE 1204
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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HAGEN, LOREN D.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Infantry, U.S. Army Training Advisory Group. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 7 August 1971. Entered service at: Fargo, North Dakota. Born: 25 February 1946, Fargo, North Dakota.

Citation

1st Lt. Hagen distinguished himself in action while serving as the team leader of a small reconnaissance team operating deep within enemy-held territory. At approximately 0630 hours on the morning of 7 August 1971 the small team came under a fierce assault by a superior-sized enemy force using heavy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket fire. 1st Lt. Hagen immediately began returning small-arms fire upon the attackers and successfully led this team in repelling the first enemy onslaught. He then quickly deployed his men into more strategic defense locations before the enemy struck again in an attempt to overrun and annihilate the beleaguered team’s members. 1st Lt. Hagen repeatedly exposed himself to- the enemy fire directed at him as he constantly moved about the team’s perimeter, directing fire, rallying the members, and resupplying the team with ammunition, while courageously returning small arms and hand grenade fire in a valorous attempt to repel the advancing enemy force. The courageous actions and expert leadership abilities of 1st Lt. Hagen were a great source of inspiration and instilled confidence in the team members. After observing an enemy rocket make a direct hit on and destroy one of the team’s bunkers, 1st Lt. Hagen moved toward the wrecked bunker in search for team members despite the fact that the enemy force now controlled the bunker area. With total disregard for his own personal safety, he crawled through the enemy fire while returning small-arms fire upon the enemy force. Undaunted by the enemy rockets and grenades impacting all around him, 1st Lt. Hagen desperately advanced upon the destroyed bunker until he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, 1st Lt. Hagen’s courageous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him and the U.S. Army.

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