The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John Aloysius Dowd (MCSN: 0-59807/1338602), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on April 21, 1969. On the night of 21 April 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd was informed that a large hostile force was preparing to cross the Vu Gia River at a point opposite an undetected Marine ambush in an area southwest of DaNang. Completely disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd immediately proceeded to the designated location, traveling fearlessly over ten miles of dangerous terrain known to contain enemy mines and patrols. Arriving at his destination, he skillfully deployed the ambush unit into effective fighting positions and, simultaneously, effected modification of artillery fire, illumination, and close air support to concentrate on the hostile force and all possible avenues of escape. When the North Vietnamese force increased to approximately two hundred and launched seventeen boats, containing three to five soldiers each, pulled by two or three men, with an estimated twenty-five soldiers wading along the boats, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd signaled the initiation of the ambush. The resulting devastating firepower, delivered from Lieutenant Colonel Dowd’s carefully coordinated assets, prevented any soldiers from crossing the river and achieved annihilation of the assault force. During the early morning hours of the following day, he executed a river crossing and a search operation along the opposite side of the river which revealed seventy-one hostile soldiers killed and enabled the Marines to capture numerous Viet Cong suspects in a nearby village. By his courage, dynamic leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
August 28, 1968 – August 13, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel John Aloysius Dowd (MCSN: 0-59807/1338602), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with the FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 28 August 1968 to 13 August 1969. Throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as the Assistant G-2, he ably supervised and coordinated the myriad facets of the Division’s intelligence program and was instrumental in developing and implementing a system which ensured the rapid dissemination of pertinent information to subordinate units. Reassigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Task Force YANKEE on 28 November 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd supervised the displacement of his newly organized staff to the An Hoa Combat Base and commenced aggressive operations to keep his commanding general informed of the enemy’s capabilities and probable scheme of maneuver in the operational area. Working tirelessly and with meticulous attention to detail, he evaluated large volumes of data gathered from a myriad of sources and compiled accurate and timely intelligence reports which proved invaluable to the conduct of tactical operations. Assuming command of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines on 23 March 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd displayed exceptional initiative and sound judgment in deploying his unit and disregarded his own safety as he boldly moved to forward positions to coordinate supporting fires and direct his men in pursuing numerically superior enemy forces. A knowledgeable and experienced tactician, he planned and supervised the execution of thousands of patrols and small unit actions which thwarted repeated attempts by large hostile forces to launch offensives against friendly positions. His remarkable ability to assess operational requirements and immediate actions earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his professionalism, dynamic leadership and unflagging devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Dowd is authorized the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.) FMFAction Date:
August 12 – 13, 1969
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel John Aloysius Dowd (MCSN: 0-59807/1338602), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 – 13 August 1969. During this two-day period, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd aggressively led his battalion against North Vietnamese Army forces attempting to infiltrate the vital An Hoa and DaNang areas. In the early morning hours of 12 August, Company B was preparing to depart its defensive position when the Marines came under coordinated mortar, rocket-propelled grenade, and small arms fire. Unhesitatingly leaving his relatively secure position, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd fearlessly traveled over 400 meters of enemy territory to the beleaguered unit’s position and, after a rapid assessment of the tactical situation, boldly moved to a forward position from which he directed preparations for an aggressive attack against the enemy. Personally leading the subsequent assault, he simultaneously coordinated the movement of adjacent units along three fronts, causing the hostile force to attempt to withdraw. Aware of the enemy plan, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd deployed his men along all possible routes of egress, thereby denying the North Vietnamese Army force the opportunity to escape. As the battalion continued its search and destroy efforts, Company D was heavily engaged in combat by a large North Vietnamese Army force. When Company B was similarly engaged while en route to assist the beleaguered Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd, completely disregarding his own safety, boldly moved to the point of heaviest contact and, calling for reinforcements, effected the encirclement of the hostile soldiers. Displaying outstanding tactical ability, he then adeptly maneuvered his units in an aggressive assault against the trapped enemy, the impetus of which completely demoralized the hostile unit and caused its defeat. On the following day, the battalion was advancing along a four company front when the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons, and machine gun fire from North Vietnamese Army soldiers occupying well-fortified emplacements in a tree line. After adjusting fixed wing air strikes and artillery fire on the enemy positions, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd, seeming to be completely without fear, was moving to an advantageous location from which to control the movement of his forces when he was mortally wounded by hostile machine gun fire. His resolute determination and bold initiative inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his battalion accounting for 140 hostile soldiers killed, the apprehension of six prisoners, and the seizure of vast quantities of enemy weaponry. By his courage, dynamic leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Dowd upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.