The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Daniel Webster Dotson (ASN: 0-967869), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23-24 June 1951, Lieutenant Dotson was leading the company’s advance platoon, having the mission of gradually moving into a prominent ridge line leading to Hill 717 and synchronizing its progress with a second attacking company so that they would simultaneously reach the objective. The platoon had moved a short distance toward its goal when it was pinned down by heavy enemy fire coming from carefully scattered and camouflaged positions. Dispersing the platoon, Lieutenant Dotson led a squad to silence an especially troublesome automatic weapons position pouring accurate fire on the unit’s right flank. Directing the squad to furnish covering fire, he cautiously approached the hostile entrenchment and, with two well-placed grenades and the fire of his carbine, efficiently eliminated the position and its occupants. During the rest of the day’s action, Lieutenant Dotson, under the unceasing enemy fire, remained constantly with the point squad pointing out targets to his comrades until the company reached its objective. In the early morning hours on 24 June, the unit’s hastily consolidated positions on Hill 717 were furiously attacked and overrun by a numerically superior enemy force. Although slightly wounded in this action, Lieutenant Dotson continually moved about rallying the troops and firing a steady stream of fire from his carbine. One of the last men to abandon the hill, when the company was ordered to withdraw, he checked to see that everyone had fallen back and then led other wounded to safety. Lieutenant Dotson’s unwavering gallantry and superb fortitude reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

(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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Daniel Webster Dotson (ASN: 0-967869), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea, in 1951. 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.