The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant Douglas M. Dickerson, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 34th Infantry Division on 4 July 1944 in the vicinity of Rosigano, Italy. After both his platoon leader and platoon Sergeant had been wounded, Sergeant Dickerson took command and skillfully led his platoon up the rocky slope of a hill and dislodged a group of enemy from their positions. He then set up an OP and strongpoint although exposed to direct enemy observation and fire from adjacent high ground. When the enemy launched a strong counter-attack and began closing in on his platoon, Sergeant Dickerson rushed in front of his own men and wounded several of the enemy, thus rallying his comrades and causing them to stiffen their resistance. At the height of the fighting, Sergeant Dickerson observed two enemy armed with machine pistols infiltrate into the Company’s position and rush towards the Company Commander. Quickly exposing himself although small arms fire was raking the area, Sergeant Dickerson took careful aim and killed both the enemy. He then resumed direction of his platoon’s defense, and his gallant and skillful leadership so inspired his fellow comrades that they threw back the numerically superior enemy and held their hard-won ground.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Douglas M. Dickerson, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 34th Infantry Division on 3 June 1944, in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy. Upon crossing the line of departure to the high ground, the assault platoons were subjected to heavy machine gun and mortar fire. The platoon on the right was able to find cover in a small draw but the left platoon was caught out on flat, open terrain and isolated from the rest of the company. As a result of heavy enemy fire, six men of the platoon were wounded. Sergeant Dickerson located the machine gun nest that was firing on his platoon. Taking a grenade launcher and grenades he crawled forward 75 yards in the face of machine gun and sniper fire to a position from which he could bring fire on the enemy machine gun. He fired one grenade into the position knocking out the machine gun enabling the left platoon the rejoin the rest of the company. By his courage and determination Sergeant Dickerson prevented the enemy from inflicting further casualties on his platoon.