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 Specialist Fifth Class William T. Dobie, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 May 1969. Specialist Fifth Class Dobie distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving with the 366th Aviation Support Detachment, 1st Aviation Brigade. During the early morning hours a large enemy force attacked the post perimeter with intense rocket, mortar and small arms fire. Unhesitatingly he moved through the impacting rounds and small arms fire to his position on the perimeter, where he began to direct a deadly hail of machine gun fire on the enemy. When more than 100 sapper troops breached the perimeter, he held fast and took a heavy toll of their ranks. A satchel charge exploded in a jeep about 50 feet from him, and Specialist Fifth Class Dobie left he relative safety of his bunker, crawling outside his perimeter through grenade explosions and small arms fire, to pull the wounded driver from the burning vehicle. He continued to crawl, carrying the wounded man back to the relative safety of a bunker within the perimeter. Again exposing himself to hostile fire, he returned to his firing position and continued to deliver a heavy volume of machinegun fire on enemy forces. His 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.