*DICKEY, DOUGLAS E.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious
Brigade, 3d Marine Division (Rein). Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 26 March
1967. Entered service at: Cincinnati, Ohio. Born: 24 December 1946,
Greenville, Darke, Ohio.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While participating
in Operation Beacon Hill 1, the 2d Platoon was engaged in a fierce battle with the Viet
Cong at close range in dense jungle foliage. Pfc. Dickey had come forward to replace a
radio operator who had been wounded in this intense action and was being treated by a
medical corpsman. Suddenly an enemy grenade landed in the midst of a group of marines,
which included the wounded radio operator who was immobilized. Fully realizing the
inevitable result of his actions, Pfc. Dickey, in a final valiant act, quickly and
unhesitatingly threw himself upon the deadly grenade, absorbing with his body the full and
complete force of the explosion. Pfc. Dickey's personal heroism, extraordinary valor and
selfless courage saved a number of his comrades from certain injury and possible death at
the cost of his life. His actions reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps
and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
