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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pfc. Douglas Eugene Dickey, USMC
 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
DOUGLAS E. DICKEY, USMC
(DECEASED)
Vietnam War 1965-1973
Medal of Honor Recipient
Private First Class Douglas Eugene Dickey, a 20 year-old Marine who lost his life, during Operation Beacon Hill 1, on 26 March 1967, while serving as a rifleman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, 3d Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam , was born 24 December 1946 in Greenville, Ohio.
He graduated from grammar school in 1961, and from high school in 1965.
On 13 December 1965, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was discharged to reenlist in the Regular Marine Corps on 11 April 1966.
In June 1966, after completing recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton, California, where he underwent individual combat training with the Second Infantry Training Regiment, graduating in August 1966.
The following October, he joined Company B, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. While attached to this unit, he participated in Operation Prairie. He was promoted to private first class on 1 October 1966.
On 8 November 1966, he was transferred to Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division, and participated in combat against insurgent Communist Viet Cong Forces, in Operations Deckhouse, Desota and Beacon Hill 1. It was during the latter engagement that he was mortally wounded on 26 March 1967.
A list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart with two Gold Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Private First Class Dickey was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Dickey of Rossburg, Ohio, three brothers and one sister.
CITATION:
*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 dale: 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.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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