FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: COL Kern W. Dunagan ~ 05 October 2026

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World ! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

COL Kern W. Dunagan

Info from here.

           

Kern W. Dunagan (February 20, 1934 - December 27, 1991) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Dunagan joined the Army from Los Angeles, California, and by May 13, 1969 was serving as a captain in Company A, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. During a firefight on that day, in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, Dunagan showed conspicuous leadership as he organized his men and rescued wounded soldiers despite his own wounds. He was subsequently promoted to major and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Dunagan reached the rank of colonel before leaving the Army. He died at age 57 and was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.

Major Dunagan's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Maj. (then Capt.) Dunagan distinguished himself during the period May 13 and 14, 1969, while serving as commanding officer, Company A. On May 13, 1969, Maj. Dunagan was leading an attack to relieve pressure on the battalion's forward support base when his company came under intense fire from a well-entrenched enemy battalion. Despite continuous hostile fire from a numerically superior force, Maj. Dunagan repeatedly and fearlessly exposed himself in order to locate enemy positions, direct friendly supporting artillery, and position the men of his company. In the early evening, while directing an element of his unit into perimeter guard, he was seriously wounded during an enemy mortar attack, but he refused to leave the battlefield and continued to supervise the evacuation of dead and wounded and to lead his command in the difficult task of disengaging from an aggressive enemy. In spite of painful wounds and extreme fatigue, Maj. Dunagan risked heavy fire on 2 occasions to rescue critically wounded men. He was again seriously wounded. Undaunted, he continued to display outstanding courage, professional competence, and leadership and successfully extricated his command from its untenable position on the evening of May 14. Having maneuvered his command into contact with an adjacent friendly unit, he learned that a 6-man party from his company was under fire and had not reached the new perimeter. Maj. Dunagan unhesitatingly went back and searched for his men. Finding 1 soldier critically wounded, Maj. Dunagan, ignoring his wounds, lifted the man to his shoulders and carried him to the comparative safety of the friendly perimeter. Before permitting himself to be evacuated, he insured all of his wounded received emergency treatment and were removed from the area. Throughout the engagement, Maj. Dunagan's actions gave great inspiration to his men and were directly responsible for saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. Maj. Dunagan's extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

---

TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport

[Kathy in Alaska]

Gremlins and more gremlins...sorry for the messed up post.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: COL Kern W Dunagan ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, Kathy, hanging out with son, see ya later!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

Darn the gremlins. LOL

[centermass_socrates]

Hooah!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...enjoy your time with your son.

radu gets #1 because she posted to the thread I asked to be pulled. Been having posting issues every since I lost my internet for several days. *sigh*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...my first attempt at posting ther thread was a disaster. Thanks for your second post. And you still get #1. LOL!!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

It’ll certainly be nice once you get everything straightened out with your new laptop so you have access to all of your files.

[Kathy in Alaska]

radu!!

1st!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Pro!!

2nd!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

centermass_socrates!!

3rd!!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, centermass_socrates.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...hope you and Blue and Tippy had a good fall day.

A little rain off and on all day here.

[Huskrrrr]

Thank you,Kathy. Another great American.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Huskrrrr...glad you enjoyed.

[luvie]

Kern W. Dunagan (February 20, 1934 - December 27, 1991) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Hope the day was a good one and not uncomfortable.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, luvie, and thanks for helping honor our hero.

Hope you got a good nap today.