Utah Medal of Honor recipient, George Wahlen dies
Medal of Honor recipientt, George Wahlen dies
June 5th, 2009 @ 2:52pm
Salt Lake City -- Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Utah resident, George E. Wahlen died Friday morning after an extended illness.
Wahlen was 84-years-old.
Wahlen earned the Medal of Honor as a Navy Corpsman at the battle of Iwo Jima where he is credited for saving countless lives.
He was injured on three separate occasions, but refused to leave the battlefield.
President Harry S. Truman presented the Medal of Honor to Wahlen in 1945. He later re-enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired with the rank of Major.
He then went on to a career with The Department of Veterans affairs where he continued to serve our country and other veterans for 14 years.
In 2004, President George W. Bush signed legislation authorizing the naming of the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City. As federal buildings cannot bear the name of a living person, Congress approved special legislation allowing for an exemption in the case of Wahlen.
In a press release, the Veteran Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System said, "This modest hero truly exemplified the meaning of patriotism, commitment to service and love of country. The people of Utah, this hospital and the veterans that he tirelessly served have lost a remarkable man."
Wahlen leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Melba, five children, 27 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren
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