PFC DOUGLAS EUGENE DICKEY

 

03 Mar 2001 Dickey is a Medal of Honor recipient. He jumped on a hand grenade to save our wounded radio man and Lieutenant. The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to Douglas Eugene Dickey Private First Class, United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While participating in Operation Beacon Hill 1, the 2d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, was engaged in a fierce battle with the Viet Cong at close range in dense jungle foliage. PFC Dickey had come forward to replace a radio operator who had been wounded in this intense action and was being treated by a medical corpsman. Suddenly an enemy grenade landed in the midst of a group of Marines, which included the wounded radio operator who was immobilized. Fully realizing the inevitable result of his actions, PFC Dickey, in a final valiant act, quickly and unhesitatingly threw himself upon the deadly grenade, absorbing with his body the full and complete force of the explosion. PFC Dickey's personal heroism, extraordinary valor and selfless courage saved a number of his comrades from certain injury and possible death at the cost of his life. His actions reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. From a fellow Marine. gtcardi53@aol.com

 

16 Jun 2003 God bless you and your family, you did everyone proud! It was a brave thing to do, most people wouldn't even think of doing that but you went above the call of duty, for your country, yourself and most importantly your comrades whom you saved. Rest in peace. Andrew Elwood plasitinamosher@hotmail.com

 

03 Apr 2006 Dear Doug, My family has honored your bravery and the greatest sacrifice for our country from the moment we were told. Your clarity in the moment of sacrifice gives us all pause. Your Mom and Dad displayed enormous courage when they received the highest medal of honor in your behalf. Your family has shown enormous courage, in spite of the sacrifice of their child. We will never forget you. With Love, The Emerick/Billingsley Family From a cousin, Nancee Emerick mrick@gobrainstorm.net

 

21 May 2007 I have not forgotten. Sgt William Douglas Wynn 3rd Sqd, 1st Plt, C Co, 1st Bn, 4th Marines November 1966 thru July 1967 marinevol@charter.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall During the period 20 March - 01 April 1967 the 1st Bn, 4th Marines were conducting Operation Beacon Hill, a search-and-destroy operation in the Gia Linh District of Quang Tri Province. The area was well supplied with NVA troops who seemed inclined to fight rather than withdraw and the 1/4 Marines encountered stiff resistance from the outset. Charlie 2/4 was involved in two major engagements; on 24 March they lost six men in a fight with a company-sized NVA unit while killing 38 NVA troops. Charlie 1/4's second engagement was on 26 March, this time a 3+ hour fight against an entrenched enemy concealed in dense vegetation. The 1/4 Operations Log for 26 March contains three entries applicable to Charlie 1/4: 1132 - Receiving sporadic sniper fire 1245 - Engaged by snipers and a small NVA unit; killed 2 NVA 1600 to 1930 - Received 82mm mortar, heavy automatic weapons, and small arms fire from concealed enemy positions and trench lines. Medevac helicopter downed by enemy fire [probably UH-34D tail number 145796]. Results 6 friendly KIA, 28 WIA. 9 NVA KIA confirmed, 13 probable, 1 POW. Two of Charlie 1/4's wounded died later the same day, for a total loss of eight men: Cpl Robert E. Bryson, Rochester, NY Cpl Douglas W. Lee, Winston-Salem, NC (Silver Star) LCpl Floyd M. Larrabee, Olathe, KS LCpl James L. Verhelst, Kewanee, IL Pfc Douglas E. Dickey, Rossburg, OH (Medal of Honor) Pfc Edwardo L. Gutloff, New York, NY Pfc Larry J. Larson, Carmel, CA Pfc Victor H. Vanvactor, Louisville, KY

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