Rank Insignia Previous Honoree ID Next Honoree ID


   
honoree image
First Name: Douglas

Last Name: Dickey

Birthplace: Greenville, OH, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Home of Record: Cincinnati, OH
Middle Name: Eugene



Date of Birth: 24 December 1946

Date of Death: 26 March 1967

Rank: Private First Class

Years Served: 1965-1967
Douglas Eugene Dickey

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Douglas Eugene Dickey
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Private First Class Douglas Eugene Dickey (24 December 1946 - 26 March 1967) was a U.S. Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism 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, 3rd Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.

Dickey was born on 24 December 1946 in Greenville, OH. 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, OH, and was discharged to re-enlist in the Regular Marine Corps on 11 April 1966.

In June 1966, after completing recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton, CA, 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, 3rd 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, 3rd 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.

Medal of Honor

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DOUGLAS E. DICKEY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Platoon, Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 March 1967. While participating in Operation BEACON HILL I, the Second Platoon was engaged in a fierce battle with the Viet Cong at close range in dense jungle foliage. Private First Class 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, Private First Class Dickey, in a final valiant act, quickly and unhesitatingly threw himself upon the deadly grenade, absorbing with his own body the full and complete force of the explosion. Private First Class 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 own life. His actions reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ LYNDON B. JOHNSON

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart with 2 Gold Stars
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Douglas Eugene Dickey's name is inscribed on Panel 17E - Line 50.

Death and Burial

Private First Class Douglas Eugene Dickey was killed in action on 26 March 1967. He is buried at Brock Cemetery in Greenville, Darke County, OH.



Honoree ID: 928   Created by: MHOH

Ribbons


Medals


Badges


Honoree Photos

honoree imagehonoree imagehonoree image

honoree imagehonoree image

honoree image

Remembrances


Tributes