Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Francis
Walwin
Dawson
March 23, 1919

–

October 18, 1997

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Francis Dawson retired as a U.S. Army Colonel in 1968 after service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was an inaugural inductee in the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1992.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    5th Ranger Battalion

    Division:

    95th Infantry Division (Attached

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 95th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 70 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Francis Walwin Dawson (ASN: 0-400036), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 5th Ranger Battalion, attached to the 95th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations in 1944 and 1945. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    5th Ranger Battalion

    Regiment:

    Provisional Ranger Group (Separate)

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944
    Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 28 (June 20, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Francis Walwin Dawson (ASN: 0-400036), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 5th Ranger Battalion (Separate), in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. First Lieutenant Dawson led his Ranger Platoon ashore in the invasion of France against heavy enemy artillery, machine gun, and small arms fire. He then personally took charge of the breaching of wire entanglements. When a gap was created, he led his platoon through it and directed them in scaling a 100-foot cliff. Upon reaching the top of the cliff, he, accompanied by one soldier, rushed forward with a submachine gun and destroyed a German pill box, killing or capturing the enemy located therein. First Lieutenant Dawson’s aggressive leadership, personal courage and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.