Navy trailblazer honored at 100th birthday

Residents lined the sidewalks as a parade of classic cars, military personnel, first responders and patriot guard riders made their way to the Inland Point Retirement Community in North Bend. At the end of the parade route was the guest of honor. Anna "Penny" Luise Penrod Dahl was surrounded by family, friends and an entire crowd of supporters who came out for her 100th birthday celebration on July 17, 2024.

The Inland Point Retirement Community staff coordinated the 100-year parade celebration for Penny, including the North Bend Fire Department, North Bend Police Department, Amvets Bay Area Post 10, and Oregon South Coast Patriot Guard Riders.

Penny was not only being celebrated for her 100 birthday – she was also being recognized for her military achievements. During her birthday celebration, Penny was described as a “living legend” and “trailblazer.” As a young woman, Penny had an adventurous spirit and a desire to experience life outside of her community of Dayton, Ohio.

Penny decided to join the women’s branch of the United States Naval Reserve known as WAVES shortly after she graduated from high school. WAVES was established during World War II by the U.S. Congress, authorizing the U.S. Navy to accept women into the Naval Reserve as commissioned officers at the enlisted level. Penny said she decided to join WAVES because she knew she wanted to serve her country, and she knew that women had a place in the military.

Penny attended WAVES boot camp in New York City, followed by a training school in Georgia. She was later stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas at a naval air station where pilots were trained. During her time as a WAVE, Penny worked as a storekeeper at a commissary warehouse. She served her WAVES duration and was asked to stay an additional six months to help transition her job back to returning servicemen. When her duty was up in 1946, Penny used her G.I. Bill to go to business school. She also served in the Civil Service and on a military base in the Philippines.

Over her lifetime, Penny earned accolades such as the American Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. Penny met her husband Edward, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and they married in 1951. They were married 67 years before Edward’s passing in 2018. The couple raised two children, Mark Dahl and Gail Dahl. Both children carried on the family’s military tradition.

When asked how the military impacted her life, Penny replied; “The military is my whole life. I miss it.” Penny said she is grateful for the path of her life and her many fond memories. She was also thankful for her birthday ceremony. “I didn’t know what to expect,” Penny said after the celebration. “I was amazed at this.”