MAJOR ROBERT C. DAHN

Major Robert C. Dahn died on May 27, 2017 in Rockledge, Florida. He served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and was the recipient of two Silver Stars, the Soldiers Medal, the Air Medal, the Army, Commendation Medal, two purple hearts, and 5 rows of company ribbons.

Robert C. Dahn was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1945 and was assigned to take part in the invasion of Japan. When Japan surrendered, his unit became part of the initial occupation force of Japan. He served with distinction in the Korean conflict where his unit participated in the rescue of the trapped Marine and Army units at the Chosin Reservoir. For his role in Korea, he was awarded two Silver Stars for heroism under fire as well as two Purple Hearts. 
He received a battle field commission as a second Lieutenant and returned to the United States to attend the Army Aviation Cadet School where he qualified for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. During the Vietnam conflict, he piloted the short takeoff and landing (STOL) Caribou aircraft on numerous missions. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his service in Vietnam.
After Vietnam, he served as Executive Officer of the 516th Caribou Company stationed at Fort Rucker, AL. He was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, the Army Highest award for non-combat related bravery for his heroism in rescuing crew and passengers from a crashed, burning Caribou plane in imminent danger of exploding.
After 22 years of service, Major Dahn retired from the U. S. Army to accept a position with the Panama Canal Company. During his 12 years in Panama, he began treasure diving on some of the sunken ships dating from the Henry Morgan era. After his retirement from the Panama Canal Company, he continued his treasure diving activities by becoming affiliated with the Mel Fisher Group and participating in dives off the Florida coast.

Major Dahn was an avid tennis player and took part in numerous tennis tournaments and earned medals in many. Among his many tennis achievements was a Florida State Senior Games gold medal.
Major Dahn was born on June 5, 1927 to Theodore and Irene Denson Dahn. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Theodore Dahn, Jr. and by his eldest son, Mike Dahn. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Bettye, his sons Rick and Larry Dahn and daughters in law Connie and Debbie Dahn. Surviving grandchildren include Tim, Tom, Ginger, Katy, Lawrence, Parker and Hollis Dahn. Other surviving family members include nieces Paula Lewis, Rhonda Styka, Donna Barnes, Melissa Balto, and nephews John Williams and Mathew Kessel.

A celebration of the life of Major Robert C. Dahn will be held on Saturday, June 3 at 3:00 PM at:

Beckman – Williamson Funeral Home 
5400 Village Drive 
Viera, FL 32955

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to a military charity of choice.

************************************************************************

Dear Lions & Lioness:

It is with sadness that I send this obit of my friend "Bob", although I never met him in person but we spoke often and the stories that I have heard from him,  of him from BHS days to while in the Army.  One story was that while during WWII and in the trenches, wet, dirty, hungry and tired, he would see the airplanes flying by and he knew that they had a warm meal and a bed to sleep in so he decided to go to air aviation school. After he became a pilot he used to fly into Kings Aviation on Victory drive and take Wallace Cochran and his wife Clara, now deceased, William Weekley, now deceased and his wife Joyce for a plane ride and scare them to death.  At BHS he would agitate others and blame them on William Weekley or Wallace Cochran resulting in fighting in the "Pines".  If only the "Pines" could talk.  For those of you younger generation at BHS the "Pines" were between the main school and the railroad tracks.  Right next to the railroad tracks was the third football field until 1964 as to when they built the one with the track around.  Bob was also on the football, basketball and track team in 1945 as a junior.  He left for the army just before graduation.  He wanted to attend one of the Baker Luncheons but his health would not allow it.  He always had a comment as to when I would send the RECAP of the luncheon especially when there was a picture of one of his friends.  May he rest in peace..  -- Ismael (Ish) Nazario '61