Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    Vietnamese Navy River Patrol Division 62

    Action Date:

    October 20, 1970

    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] William Taylor Dannheim (NSN: 0-669977), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 20 October 1970 during an attack by enemy forces on the Advance Tactical Support Base at Song Ong Doc, Republic of Vietnam. As Senior Advisor to River Patrol Division 62, and as the Senior Officer present on the base at the time of the coordinated enemy rocket, mortar, and automatic weapons attack, Lieutenant Commander Dannheim immediately proceeded to Naval Operations Center to organize and direct the defense of the base. With mortar fire intensifying and fires springing up in several places on the base, he gave orders for the boats moored alongside to get underway and defend the base from the adjacent river. This decision was responsible for saving the lives of many United States Navy and Vietnamese personnel by moving them from their static and suddenly lethal position to a maneuverable protected position on the River Assault Craft (monitors). In the face of the mounting enemy fire attack, Lieutenant Commander Dannheim remained in the Naval Operations Center in order to direct air strikes by attack helicopters. Finally, after a secondary fire caused a loss of power to the Naval Operations Center, Lieutenant Commander Dannheim left the burning building to search for any remaining personnel on the base. After completing this search and helping to carry some wounded men aboard a waiting boat, he then moved to a monitor moments before the Naval Operations Center he had just vacated received a direct hit. From the monitor, Lieutenant Commander Dannheim continued to direct gunfire and air support until early morning at which time he moved his operations to the U.S.S. Garrett County. By his outstanding professionalism, leadership and courage, he was directly instrumental in saving many lives and in inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.