The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General George E. Dooley (MCSN: 0-6291), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of the III Marine Amphibious Force in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 1 January to 15 December 1969. The impact of Brigadier General Dooley’s perceptive mind an broad ability was obvious as he coordinated the vast and diverse activities of the largest operational command ever assembled under one Marine Corps commander. His duties encompassed the management of three separate command structures and required that he organize and direct planning for both join and combined operations. He molded the staff sections into a closely knit, harmonious instrument of control over 230,000 men of Free World forces. His organizational skill and professional competence in the execution of these duties were reflected clearly, not only in the outstanding successes of the command during his tenure, but equally in the progressively increasing ability of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam to assume a more confident and active combat posture. Throughout his tour of duty, Brigadier General Dooley’s exacting attention to detail, superior management competence, and incisive foresight ensured the highest possible degree of performance in the development of plans, policy, and programs. His unique ability to absorb facts rapidly and to recognize strengths and weaknesses of proposed courses of action were principally responsible for the efficiency and dispatch with which staff actions were completed. By his military acumen, vast professional ability, and unflagging devotion to duties of great responsibility, Brigadier General Dooley rendered exceptionally meritorious service to his country and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain George E. Dooley (MCSN: 0-6291), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while attached to a Marine Aircraft Group in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 13 and 14 November 1942. Leading a striking force of four torpedo planes from Henderson Field, Captain Dooley intercepted an enemy battleship of the KONGO class, escorted by six destroyers, about twenty-five miles from Guadalcanal, and immediately pressed home the attack. Despite fighter opposition and intense anti-aircraft fire, his command secured one direct hit on the battleship. Returning to the base to reload, the same group took off and renewed the attack, this time obtaining two hits, Captain Dooley personally scoring one directly on the port side of the vessel. The following day, contacting an enemy force of four heavy cruisers and three destroyers, he led his unit in a daring and determined attack, scoring a direct hit on a heavy cruiser. His superb airmanship, initiative, and dauntless intrepidity were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
December 3, 1966 – November 6, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General George E. Dooley (MCSN: 0-6291), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Programs) in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Plans and Programs), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, from 3 December 1966 to 6 November 1968. Displaying exceptional zeal and outstanding professional skill and resourcefulness, General Dooley directed, coordinated, and supervised staff activities in programming, systems analysis, and associated fiscal matters. Through his sound understanding and firm grasp of the complexities of the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy programming processes, he was instrumental in communicating the Marine Corps Programs through those media. Under General Dooley’s astute guidance and supervision, for the first time, the entire cost of the Marine Corps was compiled and presented as a part of the Program Objectives to the Secretary of the Navy. The added visibility of the Marine Corps afforded by the inclusion of these cost factors contributed immensely to the improvement of the Marine Corps programs and programming process. His acumen and familiarity with the finite details of programs in conjunction with his energetic approach elicited the respect and confidence of other Department of Defense management agencies. With commendable foresight, General Dooley perceived the need for a systems analysis capability within Headquarters Marine Corps. Through exceptional resourcefulness and imagination he avidly pursued the development of the systems analysis capability under the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Programs). Throughout his tenure he continued to expand the application of that discipline to Marine Corps programs and commensurately expand the systems analysis office. He was of inestimable value and highly effective during a period of urgent requirements imposed by the Southeast Asia commitments and a rapidly expanding active Marine Corps structure. Through his keen perception and clear analysis, he was instrumental in the development of high-level policy and support memoranda for use by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in the conduct of vital matters with the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, higher authority, and external agencies. General Dooley’s leadership, managerial ability, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 216 (VMF-216)Division:
U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18)Action Date:
February 16, 1945
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0167The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major George E. Dooley (MCSN: 0-6291), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander and Target Coordinator of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN (VMF-216), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Tokyo Bay Area, Japan, on 16 February 1945. Participating in one of the initial attacks against a major enemy airfield despite adverse weather conditions, Major Dooley defied intense antiaircraft fire and hostile fighter opposition to lead a successful low-level strafing attack over the airfield. By his initiative, airmanship and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, Major Dooley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.