Major William H. Dabney

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to

"For meritorious service in connection with combat oper- ations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving in various capacities with the Third Marine Division from August 1967 to September 1968. Initially assigned as Commanding Officer of Headquarters and Service Com- pany, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Major Dabney, then a Captain, skillfully coordinated the myriad activities of his unit and provided outstanding administrative and technical support to the battalion. Displaying exceptional initiative and tactical skill, he participated in several major operations and, on one occasion, conducted a successful Country Fair Operation in Hien Si Village, Phong Dien District, which resulted in his unit accounting for eight Viet Cong killed and twenty suspects captured. Subsequently assuming command of Company I, Major Dabney quickly molded his men into a proficient fighting force and, during a period of rapidly expanding and changing operations, dis- regarded his own safety to maneuver his platoons and direct supporting fires against the enemy. During the siege of Khe Sanh Combat Base, he commanded Companies I and M and aggressively directed the defense of Hill 881 South, repulsing two major hostile attacks and inflicting heavy casualties on numer- ically superior enemy forces. Reassigned in April as Officer in Charge of the Division Combat Operations Center, Major Dabney continued to distinguish himself by his ability to accomplish difficult tasks efficiently and expeditiously. His resolute determination and seemingly unlimited resourcefulness earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeas- urably to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. Major Dabney's profession- alism, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval service.