Capt. William H. Dabney

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 January 1968, Captain DABNEY deployed his unit into two elements and advanced north on two parallel ridge lines from Hill 881 South. After advancing approximately 1,000 meters, his unit came under fire from an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion entrenched in fortified positions. Reacting instantly, he called in heavy supporting arms fire and directed accurate 106mm recoilless rifle fire which destroyed two hostile emplacements. When one of his platoons became pinned down by the intense enemy fire after seizing its objective, he aggressively advanced across 500 meters of open terrain with the remainder of his unit to relieve the beleaguered Marines. Completely disregarding his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy fire in order to pinpoint North Vietnamese automatic weapons positions. His bold initiative was instrumental in the destruction of a hostile .50 caliber machine gun which had shot down a medical evacuation aircraft. When Captain DABNEY coordinated all his forces and evacuated all casualties, he ordered his men to withdraw and remained behind to provide covering fire until his men had reached the base of the hill. Only then did he leave the area to rejoin his unit. As a result of his aggressive actions, his company accounted for 103 North Vietnamese confirmed killed. By his courage inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain DABNEY upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."