Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fourth Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    8th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1967

    Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 2661 (August 23, 1967)

    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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Stanley Wesley Dix (ASN: RA-18742978), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 July 1967 Specialist Fourth Class Dix distinguished himself while serving as a Fire Team Leader in Company B, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, operating south of Duc Co. Company B and a sister unit became engaged in a heated fire fight with a numerically superior enemy force. As enemy action took its toll of friendly casualties, Specialist Fourth Class Dix and several comrades maneuvered through the heavy automatic weapons fire in order to extract the wounded. Almost immediately they were trapped by the intense volume of fire concentrated in their direction. When he realized that a nearby enemy machine gun emplacement was the major obstacle to the evacuation of the wounded, Specialist Fourth Class Dix assaulted the position single-handedly. In a furious exchange of fire with the determined enemy machine gunner, he sustained a severe wound; but undeterred, he continued doggedly to advance. His indomitable courage inspired the remainder of his element to mount an attack of their own. As Specialist Fourth Class Dix drew the enemy fire to himself, his men swept around and destroyed the machine gun. Specialist Fourth Class Dix was mortally wounded in this valiant action, but by his selflessness he had ensured the immediate evacuation of many of his wounded fellow soldiers. His conspicuous gallantry is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.