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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Platoon Sergeant Oscar G. Dawson (ASN: 34379688), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Platoon Sergeant Dawson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 February 1968, while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, during a reconnaissance in force mission conducted jointly with an Army, Republic of Vietnam battalion, at a village 10 kilometers northeast of Bien Hoa, Vietnam. When the allied battalion came under intense automatic and small arms fire, two platoons of Troop F moved to its aid to enable the Vietnamese to evacuate their wounded. In the process, the troop commander’s armored cavalry assault vehicle was struck by an enemy rocket. Completely disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Dawson dismounted his track, ran to the scene through a hail of fire to treat the wounded. When medical aidmen arrived, Sergeant Dawson moved back to his vehicle to continue the advance against the enemy. During the first assault, Sergeant Dawson was instrumental in the destruction of several bunkers, and killed five insurgents with his personal weapon. When his platoon re-grouped for a second assault, he discovered that two vehicles had been struck by rocket fire and were still within the enemy held village. With total disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Dawson unhesitatingly dismounted his track and exposed himself to intense hostile fire to fight his way to the disabled vehicles. Finding the crew members missing from the tacks, Sergeant Dawson began fighting his way back to the friendly lines, killing two insurgents on the way and capturing a third. Later that evening, he led a dismounted patrol into the village, recovering one of the missing crew members and capturing another enemy soldier. Platoon Sergeant Dawson’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force 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

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 22, 1951
    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 204 (June 19, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant First Class Oscar G. Dawson (ASN: 34379688), United States Army, for heroic achievement during ground operations against a hostile force as a member of the Heavy Tank Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 22 April 1951, near Wach-on, Korea, Sergeant Dawson, a tank commander, having positioned his armored vehicle to cover the withdrawal of the 1st Battalion, halted a platoon of friendly troops to obtain information on the enemy dispositions. Observing another large group of soldiers rapidly approaching, and though it was assumed that the oncoming forces were friendly, Sergeant Dawson challenged them. His challenge was met by a hail of grenade and small arms fire. The shrinking enemy force charged and quickly swarmed about Sergeant Dawson’s tank, but courageously manning the machine gun mounted on the turret of his tank, he personally accounted for many of the enemy dead. During the fierce engagement, the enemy suffered heavy casualties and the friendly platoon was permitted sufficient time to withdraw. Sergeant Dawson’s heroism and alert actions reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.