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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 Captain (Infantry) James F. Dabney (ASN: 0-5320138), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 23 February 1968 while serving as Commanding Officer, Company D, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, his company was on a reconnaissance in force operation near a small hamlet in southwest Cholon, a district of Saigon, when his point element observed an enemy soldier running into a house. Immediately calling upon the lead element to engage the enemy by fire, Captain Dabney maneuvered his company into an assault formation. As the company maneuvered forward, it was suddenly subjected to intense volumes of automatic weapons and small arms fire from an estimated platoon of Viet Cong located in the hamlet. Quickly assessing the situation and realizing the need for a sustained assault, Captain Dabney called for and adjusted artillery and air support to within 50 meters of his position. Undaunted by the withering hail of return fire striking around him, Captain Dabney moved among his men, encouraging them and directing their actions. As their intense fire suppressed the enemy forces, he re-directed supporting fire to block off the insurgents’ routes of escape while he organized his forces for the final assault. Approaching the first house, he spotted two enemy soldiers fleeing the scene of the conflict and personally killed both of them. His exceptional skill and leadership enabled his unit to rout the hostile force, killing 21 Viet Cong while sustaining only one friendly casualty. Captain Dabney’s exceptional bravery was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    12th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light)

    Action Date:

    May 6 – 10, 1968
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4525 (September 28, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) James F. Dabney (ASN: 0-5320138), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Captain Dabney distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action from 6 to 10 May 1968 in Quan Binh Chanh. On 6 May his company engaged a combined North Vietnamese Army / Viet Cong force. After four hours of combat, during which Captain Dabney repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to direct light fire team, artillery and air strike support, he led his company in an assault. Discovering a North Vietnamese mortar position, he charged the emplacement, killing two enemy soldiers with grenades and taking two prisoners. In the early morning hours of 7 May the perimeter of his company’s night position was attached by a large enemy force. Moving to the edge of the perimeter Captain Dabney fearlessly adjusted air strikes to within fifty meters of his units position. He then directed a counteroffensive and sweep off the area. Another heavy engagement occurred on 9 May when Captain Dabney sprung an ambush on the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong, He moved among his men, encouraging them and directing their fire, and at one point personally manned a machine gun to kill three Viet Cong who were less than twenty-five meters from his position. By afternoon enemy soldiers were fleeing in all directions. During the rest of the afternoon and the next day Captain Dabney conducted a sweep of the area which crushed the remaining pockets of resistance. Captain Dabney’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.