Gerald Lyle Dyrdahl was born March 9, 1948 in Bagley to Eugene and Wanda Dyrdahl. He grew up in Gonvick and attended school at Gonvick. 

Gerald entered the Army on July 3, 1967 and was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana for basic and advanced training.  He was then sent to Dong Tan, Vietnam as a boat operator with the 1097th Transportation Company.  The 1097th became part of a river warfare organization, operating in the Mekong Delta.The mission of the 1097th was to provide and operate landing craft for the movement of personnel and cargo in Army water terminal operations; to augment Navy craft in joint amphibious operations; to support land artillery with their 105mm Howitzers mounted on barges; to provide general support of Dong Tam Base, RVN; and to provide general support of Battalion Headquarters in Vung Tao, the US Army Transportation Battalion. 

At the 9th Infantry Division’s base camp near Dong Tam, the largest single Vietnamese awards ceremony ever was held on August 24, 1968. During the ceremony, Spec 4 Gerald Dyrdahl received the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star from Major General Nguyen Viet Thanh, commanding general of the Vietnamese Army’s IV Corps Tactical Zone. There were a total of 284 Gallantry Cross awards given for valor to men of the division and support troops from the U.S. Air Force and Navy.  Gerald also received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Gerald received an honorable discharge from the Army on June 20, 1969.

Gerald passed away on November 25, 1997 and is buried in Norway Lake Cemetery near Leonard.

Plot: 3     Side: North       Row from Bottom: 1

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