HAGEN, LOREN D.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Infantry, U.S. Army Training Advisory Group

Place: Republic of Vietnam

Date: 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 1 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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--- General / Personal ---

Last name: HAGEN
First name: LOREN DOUGLAS
Home of Record (official): FARGO
State (official): ND
Date of Birth: Monday, February 25, 1946
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Army
Rank: 1LT
Serial Number: 330385947
Component: Reserve
Pay grade: O2
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 31542

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Sunday, January 10, 1971
Date of Casualty: Saturday, August 7, 1971
Age at time of loss: 25
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Tri
The Wall: Panel 03W - Row 125

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