The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Gregory P. Dillon (ASN: 0-87731), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 3 July 1969 to 4 July 1969, while serving as Commanding Officer of 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Long An Province. When one of his companies made contact with a large hostile force, Lieutenant Colonel Dillon boldly flew over the area in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire in order to mark targets for gunships and direct the insertion of additional troops. Once the enemy was surrounded he called in artillery and air strikes, courageously remaining at low altitudes despite the withering hostile fire. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon then landed and established his command post. When the enemy attempted to break out of the encirclement, assaulting the sector in front of the command group, he showed complete self-disregard as he called in artillery to within 100 meters of his position, repelling the hostile force. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon’s tactical skill and personal bravery were the key factors in the victory of the friendly forces. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Gregory P. Dillon (ASN: 0-87731), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 June 1969, while serving as Commanding Officer of 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Long An Province. As elements of the battalion were sweeping along a woodline, they came under a sudden barrage of automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well-entrenched enemy force. As the battle developed, Lieutenant Colonel Dillon fearlessly exposed himself to the fusillade by having his aircraft hover only 15 meters over the hostile emplacements, drawing continual fire. Notified that a man was seriously wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Dillon directed his command and control craft to land within 50 meters of the enemy. He jumped out, picked up the wounded man, and carried him on board to be evacuated to the nearest hospital. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon then returned to the fray to direct his men in destroying the enemy force. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Gregory P. Dillon (ASN: 0-87731), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 February 1969, while serving as Brigade Executive Officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, in defense of the base camp at Tan An. While conducting an inspection of defenses, Colonel Dillon was informed that movement had been discovered to the front of his position. Mounting a bunker to appraise the situation, he sighted and engaged several of the enemy, and, discovering that the enemy was preparing a rocket attack, immediately sounded the alarm and called for helicopter support. When ground attack seemed imminent, Colonel Dillon, disregarding his own safety, repeatedly exposed himself to a fusillade of rounds and shrapnel to return and to direct devastating fire upon the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Gregory P. Dillon (ASN: 0-87731), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 November 1969, while serving as Commanding Officer of 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while coordinating his forces from his command and control helicopter, he observed several enemy soldiers attempting to escape detection in a nipa palm thicket. After marking the spot with smoke grenades, he directed the insertion of ground forces into the area and then directed his pilot to make low-level passes over the thicket. Hovering several feet over the enemy positions, Colonel Dillon braved sporadic bursts of hostile fire while he engaged and eliminated two enemy soldiers. He then had the helicopter land and recovered the enemy weapons. After resuming his aerial reconnaissance of the area, he spotted several fortifications. Despite the enemy ground fire to which his aircraft was subjected, he coordinated the movements of the ground forces in attacks on the position. Seeing that the enemy was starting to flee the area, he directed his pilot to fly back and forth over a small river to seal off the enemy’s only avenue of escape. Again braving a hail of hostile fire, Colonel Dillon engaged two hostile soldiers and eliminated them. Lieutenant Colonel Dillon’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.