DENNIS LYNN AHRENDSEN

Dennis Lynn Ahrendsen died in the service of his country while serving in
2nd Brigade, Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, 4th Infantry Division

Last name: Ahrendsen
First name: Dennis Lynn
Home of Record (official): Olin
State (official): IA
Date of Birth: November 23,1946
Marital Status: Married

Branch: Army
Rank: E-4
Component: Infantry
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B20
Major Organization: 4th Infantry Division
Unit of assignment: 2Bde. Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol

Entered Service:
Start of Tour: March 29, 1968
Date of Casualty: September 6, 1968
Age at time of loss: 21
Casualty type: Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire, ground
Country: South, Vietnam
Province: Darlac

Vietnam Memorial Wall:  Panel 45W, Row 4

Ranger Memorial Stone: Section , Column

To the family that has had to bear the loss of Dennis, we offer our heart felt thanks for standing strong. Many who enjoy real freedom have been affected by the great contribution Dennis gave towards our freedom. He is still dearly loved and missed, even to this day. Lord, we that knew Dennis are so thankful, you allow us, to be graced by his being among us. We his brothers of like spirit, a spirit that says, all peoples, of all nations,, should enjoy the right to live free and choose for themselves. Dennis stands out to us and to the world as a symbol of the price of freedom. Your word says, "no greater love has a man than this, to give his life for a friend". Dennis forsook self-preservation for others to live. In his fight for freedom he was mortally wounded. We thank you for men and women like our brother, who thought it not too much to give his life for another to live....... Lord, this day give comfort to those loved ones that have been all these years without him. Help them to know he is at rest with you and "Warriors" of like kind. May we never forget the blood of others bought our freedoms. Lord regardless of our belief, help us as we remember Dennis and the many like him to consider the following words of wisdom; to love the Lord our God with all your heart, soul, mind , and strength and secondly to love our neighbor as our self. Truly acceptance and application of this great wisdom by all peoples of the world, is to see war and all other atrocities against humanity end! May our hearts be charged to honor the sacrifices of such men and women as Dennis, with a continuous and sincere effort to promote peace on earth.

Bob Smyers

Looking at Dennis's picture we see a stout young man, the jaw shows sternness, a man with convictions, while the eyes appear to be keen and focused, but yet a kindness from within shows. While exchanging emails with Jim Cunningham his team leader and close friend, the revelation of Dennis came forth and in Jim's own word are as follows:
Dennis and I went on several missions before I left in 68. I was a team leader, Hotel2Bravo and trained him to be a team leader. He took over my team and killed shortly after I left.

I am the guy standing with Dennis in the picture used in the LRRP album on the web page (http://www.4thdivrangers.com ). I can honestly say I never met a LRRP that I didn't like but Dennis I loved like a brother. Dennis was married, a basic Iowa farm boy answering the call of his country. He wasn't fond of being in Viet Nam but if he had to serve he wanted to be with the best. He was exceptional in the field and gave great support to all around him. He was a terrific friend, a leader and confidant. Truly typified the best America had to offer. I took his death very hard and I still think of him often. As the years have gone by I have forgotten virtually all the names and most of the faces (except for Doc, Chue, Festus and Dumbbug). Thompson and Dennis I remember as if I saw them yesterday. Both great guys with so much to offer and so young.

LRRPs were a special breed of men volunteering to do a unique job. Only another LRRP can truly appreciate what it was like to serve with such men. How much you depended on each other, the trust and confidence you had to have for your teammates. Dennis was as fine as I ever served with. It is stock like Dennis that keeps this country great. We shouldn't have to loose so many like him.

Jim Cunningham