Compiled and Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6275 (November 4, 1966)
  

Diamond, James A.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James A. Diamond, First Sergeant, U.S. 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 A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. First Sergeant Diamond distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 6 February 1967 while serving with a company command group during a search and destroy mission near Thu Duc. When lead platoon of his company lost its platoon sergeant and three other men in an ambush by a Viet Cong company, First Sergeant Diamond immediately moved into the battle area to maintain the fighting effectiveness of his unit. While the Viet Cong were seizing weapons from the casualties lying on the field, he organized the friendly element and set up a base of fire which drove the insurgents back. Under intense fire, he moved to where the dead and wounded lay, covering and directing the evacuation from an exposed position. After all the wounded had been rescued, First Sergeant Diamond remained in his bullet swept location to guide air strikes into the hostile bunkers, although he himself was within range of the exploding aircraft shells. By his directions from this perilous position, First Sergeant Diamond was able to prevent greater losses by his own company, save the wounded that lay exposed to the Viet Cong weapons, and inflict many casualties on the insurgent force. First Sergeant Diamond'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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2715 (June 7, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank L. Dietrich, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Colonel Dietrich distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 9 to 11 November 1966 while commanding the 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry on a search and destroy operation near Tuy Hoa. On the morning of 9 November, he was informed that contact had been made with an entrenched North Vietnamese Army battalion. Quickly assessing the situation from a command and control helicopter, Colonel Dietrich brilliantly maneuvered his troops, and by nightfall the hostile force was surrounded. As the battle raged on into the next morning, he boldly joined his men on the ground. Unmindful of the extreme danger, he moved throughout the battlefield to assist his subordinate commanders and comfort the wounded. On 11 November Colonel Dietrich dauntlessly climbed to the top of a tree with a radio to direct the conflict. Remaining exposed in this perilous position for two hours, he courageously deployed the ground elements and supervised the broadcast of surrender appeals. As the battle progressed, he completely disregarded his safety by running across 100 meters of bullet- swept terrain, and led a successful assault on a stubborn North Vietnamese position. Then, accompanied only by his radio operator, Colonel Dietrich moved through 800 meters of dense jungle to another engaged platoon. Moving to the front, he again braved the intense insurgent fire to encourage his men forward. His unimpeachable valor and aggressive leadership under fierce hostile fire contributed immeasurably to the defeat of a determined hostile force. Lieutenant Colonel Dietrich'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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 496 (February 1, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Roger Dimsdale, Captain (Infantry), U.S. 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 B, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Captain Dimsdale distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 September 1968 while commanding an infantry company and cavalry troop on a search and clear operation near the village of Quang Ngai. An estimated reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion occupying well entrenched positions unleashed a devastating attack with rockets, recoilless rifles, automatic weapons and small arms on Captain Dimsdale's advancing force. Several armored personnel carriers were hit by rocket- propelled grenades in the initial barrage. Quickly regrouping his unit, Captain Dimsdale led an assault against the aggressors. Seeing an enemy soldier jump into a trench, he fearlessly charged and killed him with a hand grenade. Suddenly the communists opened up on one flank with a heavy concentration of grenades and automatic weapons fire. Captain Dimsdale was painfully wounded by shrapnel, but refused treatment and charged the hostile position. Maneuvering through the withering hail of enemy fire, he tossed a grenade into the bunker which killed three North Vietnamese and made it possible for his men to continue their advance. As the enemy began to withdraw, he again maneuvered through the hostile fire to help carry the wounded from the battlefield and supervised their evacuation. When contact was broken he set up a night position, submitting to treatment for his own injuries only after security was established. Captain Dimsdale'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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 87 (January 9, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Milfred Harold Dingman, Sergeant First Class, U.S. 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 C, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Dingman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 March 1969 as a platoon sergeant during a combat mission approximately twenty kilometers west of Polei Kleng, Kontum Province. An estimated company of North Vietnamese equipped with grenades, small arms and rockets unleashed a vicious attack and threatened to overrun Sergeant Dingman's platoon. He immediately organized his men and led them down the hill where he established an effective defensive perimeter. He then made repeated trips to the top of the hill to administer first aid to the wounded and rescue the casualties from under the hostile fusillade. Braving a hail of bullets, Sergeant Dingman next moved among his troops to provide encouragement and distribute ammunition. As he was returning fire from a threatened sector of the perimeter, he was killed by an exploding enemy rocket. Sergeant First Class Dingman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2223 (June 24, 1969)
  

Dinkins, Clifford

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clifford Dinkins, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. 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 B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Specialist Four Dinkins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 May 1967 while serving with an airborne infantry unit on a search and destroy mission near Duc Pho. While moving along a jungle trail, the patrol was suddenly subjected to a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire which inflicted several casualties. Observing a wounded comrade lying in the killing zone of the savage fusillade, Specialist Dinkins unhesitantly raced through a withering hail of bullets to the casualty, pulled him to the safety of an abandoned enemy bunker and administered emergency medical aid. He then saw two Vietnamese troops fall under the intense Viet Cong fire. Heedless of his safety, Specialist Dinkins began to move across the bullet-swept battlefield to their aid but was knocked to the ground and wounded by an enemy grenade. Disregarding his wounds, he gallantly continued his rescue attempt through a curtain of hostile fire. He reached the fallen men, discovered one was dead, and pulled them both back to the bunker. While treating the wounded trooper, he detected three Viet Cong advancing toward his position. He jumped from the bunker and fired deadly bursts from his rifle, killing one insurgent and forcing the others to withdraw. Unnoticed, a fourth enemy soldier had flanked his position and had crawled close enough to throw a hand grenade into the shelter. Specialist Dinkins leaped for the grenade, picked it up and threw it back at the insurgent. The grenade exploded in midair, killing the Viet Cong and seriously wounding Specialist Dinkins a second time. His fearless action in close combat saved the lives of two fellow soldiers. Specialist Four Dinkins' 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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1050 (March 9, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Patrick Martin Dixon, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. 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 E, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Dixon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 May 1969 while serving as a platoon leader during an airmobile operation in Long An Province. As soon as the element disembarked from the insertion helicopter, it came under intense enemy crossfire. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Dixon directed his men to return fire, which forced the hostile forces to disperse. In following the retreating foe, the platoon encountered machine gun fire from a concealed bunker. Lieutenant Dixon pushed one of his men out of the direct line of fire and was wounded as a result of his selfless action. He proceeded to crawl through the heavy barrage toward the hostile emplacement until he could silence the fortification with a fragmentation grenade. Though seriously wounded himself, he crawled to one of his wounded comrades to administer first aid and remove the man to safety. As he started out to retrieve another injured man, he succumbed to his fatal wounds. First Lieutenant Dixon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3272 (August 23, 1969)
  

Dobbins, Raymond H.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Raymond H. Dobbins, Captain (Infantry), U.S. 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, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Captain Dobbins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 November 1967 while serving as Commanding Officer of an infantry company on a battalion search and destroy operation near Loc Ninh. While maneuvering in pursuit of enemy snipers, his company was attacked by a large hostile unit firing automatic weapons, small arms and rockets. Captain Dobbins quickly deployed his main force into an effective defensive perimeter and then fearlessly moved seventy-five meters across the bullet- swept battlefield to lead his flank elements back into the perimeter. He was seriously wounded as the enemy concentrated fire on the command group, but he refused aid and assumed command of the battalion since his commander had been killed by the savage barrage. He exposed himself to withering fire time after time to reorganize the defenses and direct treatment of the wounded. The enemy force intensified its attack, and he skillfully directed artillery and air strikes to within thirty meters of his lines to repel the vicious assaults. For two hours, Captain Dobbins continually exposed himself to hostile weapons to move among his men, encouraging them and directing their fire. When the insurgents finally broke contact, he directed one platoon to secure a landing zone and organized search parties to cover the battleground and moved the wounded to the evacuation site. Weak from loss of blood, he resolutely led his men until he was no longer able to continue. Captain Dobbins’ 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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6703 (December 30, 1967)
  

Home Town: Smyrna, Georgia

*Dobrinska, Thomas Earl

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas Earl Dobrinska, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. 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 B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Second Lieutenant Dobrinksa distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 February 1968 as a platoon leader of an airmobile infantry company on a combat mission near Than Bon Pho. His unit had successfully obtained two objectives of its three goal assault, and Lieutenant Dobrinksa, realizing the importance of the momentum of his platoon's attack, continued charging the hostile emplacements. His platoon sustained several casualties and he repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy fire as he personally carried the casualties to safety. He then returned to his unit leading the attack against the well entrenched insurgents. As his platoon was temporarily driven back, he pulled two more wounded soldiers to a covered position. Twice more he led his men forward, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy forces, only to be forced to withdraw each time by the intensity of the hostile fire. Disregarding his personal safety, Lieutenant Dobrinksa then single-handedly charged the enemy automatic weapons position blocking his unit's advance and succeeded in destroying it. During this assault, he was mortally wounded, but his courageous actions enabled his unit to seize the final objective and permitted the quick evacuation of the injured personnel. Second Lieutenant Dobrinska'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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3201 (July 6, 1968)
  

Doezema, Frank, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank Doezema, Jr., Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Advisor Team 3, United States Army Advisory Group, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Specialist Four Doezema distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while defending his unit's compound in the city of Hue against a savage enemy attack. The insurgents unleashed an intense barrage of rocket, mortar and automatic weapons fire on the installation during the early morning hours, Specialist Doezema raced to his assigned defensive post, a twenty-foot wooden tower, and sprayed the assaulting enemy with deadly accurate machine gun fire. Heedless of the hostile fusillade directed at his exposed position, he directed his comrades' fire from the vantage point. A rocket exploded on the tower roof, and Specialist Doezema was seriously wounded by flying shrapnel. He determinedly remained at his post and continued firing at insurgents who were advancing in defilade behind a cement wall on the far side of the street. While shouting words of encouragement to his fellow soldiers and directing their fire, Specialist Doezema was mortally wounded by the explosion of a second enemy rocket. His fearless and gallant actions in close combat accounted for at least eighteen enemy killed and were responsible for the successful defense of the com-pound. Specialist Four Doezema's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1469 (April 1, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Edwin Dolan, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. 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 B, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Specialist Four Dolan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 May 1970 while serving as lead man of a combat patrol in the Crescent Mountains. When his patrol encountered an enemy bunker complex, Specialist Dolan and his team leader assaulted the position. The enemy immediately countered with a barrage of fire which forced the two aggressors to withdraw. During the withdrawal, Specialist Dolan was seriously wounded by the enemy but continued to place suppressive fire on the enemy to cover his comrades. Suddenly, an enemy grenade landed between Specialist Dolan and two other team members. Shouting a warning to his companions, he threw himself toward the grenade and shielded them from the blast. Although quickly evacuated to nearby medical facilities, Specialist Dolan expired a short time later. Specialist Dolan's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4504 (September 22, 1970)
  

Dolbin, Douglas R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Douglas R. Dolbin, Sergeant, U.S. 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 A, 4th Battalion, 23d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Dolbin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 October 1966 while serving with a company being evacuated from a combat zone. When his helicopter was shot down, Sergeant Dolbin, while receiving intense hostile fire, moved the wounded pilots to safety. He organized his squad members to form a defensive perimeter, then crossed an open rice paddy to prevent the insurgents from boarding another downed aircraft. After treating the wounded, Sergeant Dolbin took a machine gun and climbed to the top of the cockpit. From there, while clearly outlined and an easy target for the Viet Cong, he placed effective fire on the insurgents. When several insurgents entered another helicopter, he killed two of them with his first burst of fire. However, their return fire hit his equipment and knocked him off of the cockpit. Undaunted, he returned to this previous position and engaged the enemy. Again, he was knocked down by hostile fire into a rice paddy. Again, he returned to his perch. After the initial assaults were repulsed, Sergeant Dolbin took a position on his unit's perimeter and, while standing in waist deep water, maintained his vigil through the night. Sergeant Dolbin's extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 822 (1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael E. Dorch, Sergeant, U.S. 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 A, 2d Battalion, 501st Infantry, 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Sergeant Dorch distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 April 1968 while serving as a fire team leader during a search and clear operation north of Hue. As his unit moved across a rice paddy a North Vietnamese force opened fire from their bunker complex. Although the hostile barrage of rocket grenades and machine gun fire made movement virtually impossible. Sergeant Dorch immediately began to maneuver about the rice paddy to check on each of his men. Spotting an enemy trench which approached a bunker, he leaped into it and began advancing toward the enemy. Coming upon one of his comrades who had been shot and had fallen into the trench, he paused to administer first aid and then pressed on. The occupants of the hostile fortification observed his actions and emerged to fire on him. Sergeant Dorch adroitly jumped to his feet and unleashed a burst from his rifle killing the occupants. He then rushed forward and threw two grenades into the bunker, completely destroying it. Retracing his path, he picked up the wounded soldier and carried him back to the unit's position. After resupplying himself with ammunition, he proceeded to recover additional casualties for evacuation. Sergeant Dorch'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.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2892 (July 29, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gilbert Dorland, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate). Major Dorland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 November 1967 while serving as commander of a two-company task force on a combat operation near Dong Son. While moving toward a suspected enemy location, the infantry elements suddenly received intense hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire. Major Dorland immediately maneuvered his mechanized element in front of the beleaguered infantry troops and directed lethal machine gun fire on the North Vietnamese positions. The armored personnel carrier in which he was riding received a direct hit from an enemy anti-tank weapon. The round killed the track commander and threw Major Dorland to the ground. He was run over and severely wounded by the vehicle as it backed into a defilade position. Although in great pain, he refused to be evacuated and accepted first aid as he continued to direct the deployment of his troops. Braving an increasingly savage hail of bullets and rocket fire, Major Dorland gallantly moved throughout the battlefield to adjust friendly artillery and air strikes and commit reinforcements to critical locations. His fearless and inspiring leadership in close combat with a determined enemy force was responsible for an overwhelming victory. Major Dorland'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.