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NAVY CROSS to COLONEL WILLIAM H. DABNEY
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of two heavily
reinforced rifle companies of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, in connection
with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 21 January
to 14 April 1968.
During the entire period, Colonel (then Captain) Dabney's force stubbornly
defended Hill 881S, a regimental outpost vital to the defense of the Khe
Sanh Combat Base. Following his bold spoiling attack on 20 January
1968, shattering a much larger North Vietnamese Army (NVA) force deploying
to attack Hill 881S, Colonel Dabney's force was surrounded and cut off
from all outside ground supply for the entire 77 day Siege of Khe Sanh.
Enemy snipers, machine guns, artillery, and 120-millimeter mortars responded
to any daylight movement on his position. In spite of deep entrenchments,
his total casualties during the siege were close to 100 percent.
Helicopters were his only source of resupply, and each such mission brought
down a cauldron of fire on his landing zones. On numerous occasions
Colonel Dabney raced into the landing zone under heavy hostile fire to
direct debarkation of personnel and to carry wounded Marines to evacuation
helicopters. The extreme difficulty of resupply resulted in conditions
of hardship and deprivation seldom experienced by American forces.
Nevertheless, Colonel Dabney's indomitable spirit was truly an inspiration
to his troops. He organized his defenses with masterful skill and
his preplanned fires shattered every enemy probe on his positions.
He also devised an early warning system whereby NVA artillery and rocket
firings from the west were immediately reported by lookouts to the Khe
Sanh Combat Base, giving exposed personnel a few life saving seconds to
take cover, saving countless lives, and facilitating the targeting of enemy
firing positions. Colonel Dabney repeatedly set an incredible example
of calm courage under fire, gallantly exposing himself at the center of
every action without concern for his own safety. Colonel Dabney contributed
decisively to ultimate victory in the Battle of Khe Sanh, and ranks among
the most heroic stands of any American force in history.
By his valiant combat leadership, exceptional bravery, and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Dabney reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
/s/ Gordon R. England Secretary of the Navy |
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