Dale Allen Wenburg
1977
Dale Allen Wenburg.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Private First Class Dale Wenburg drowned during a rescue of three people in the vicinity of Fort San Lorenzo in the Panama Canal Zone.
The three people had gone to explore a cave, and the tide started rising, so they decided to climb the cliff. During the climb, a landslide occurred, which partially buried two of the explorers. The third person dug them out, but one was injured, so he went for help. As he returned with PFC Wenburg, an Army paramedic, and a firefighter, and they were climbing down the rocks to rescue the injured explorer, a large wave washed all three of them into the sea. All three men drowned as a result.
PFC Wenburg had served as a military police officer for 1 year.
He was awarded the Soldier's Medal posthumously.
The three people had gone to explore a cave, and the tide started rising, so they decided to climb the cliff. During the climb, a landslide occurred, which partially buried two of the explorers. The third person dug them out, but one was injured, so he went for help. As he returned with PFC Wenburg, an Army paramedic, and a firefighter, and they were climbing down the rocks to rescue the injured explorer, a large wave washed all three of them into the sea. All three men drowned as a result.
PFC Wenburg had served as a military police officer for 1 year.
The three people had gone to explore a cave, and the tide started rising, so they decided to climb the cliff. During the climb, a landslide occurred, which partially buried two of the explorers. The third person dug them out, but one was injured, so he went for help. As he returned with PFC Wenburg, an Army paramedic, and a firefighter, and they were climbing down the rocks to rescue the injured explorer, a large wave washed all three of them into the sea. All three men drowned as a result.
PFC Wenburg had served as a military police officer for 1 year.
He was awarded the Soldier's Medal posthumously.
The three people had gone to explore a cave, and the tide started rising, so they decided to climb the cliff. During the climb, a landslide occurred, which partially buried two of the explorers. The third person dug them out, but one was injured, so he went for help. As he returned with PFC Wenburg, an Army paramedic, and a firefighter, and they were climbing down the rocks to rescue the injured explorer, a large wave washed all three of them into the sea. All three men drowned as a result.
PFC Wenburg had served as a military police officer for 1 year.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and three brothers.
Keepsakes
Service Record
Also Served
United States Army Military Police Corps
Private First Class
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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