Distinguished Service Cross Dabney, James F.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army Company D 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th LIB
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam, 6 to 10 May 1968
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Dabney distingushed himself by exceptionally valorous action from 6 to 10 May 1968 in Quan Binh Chanh. On 6 May his company engaged a combined North Vietnamese Army / Viet Cong force. After four hours of combat, during which Captain Dabney repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to direct light fire team, artillery and air strike support, he led his company in an assault. Discovering a North Vietnamese mortar position, he charged the emplacement, killing two enemy soldiers with gernades and taking two prisoners. In the early morning hours of 7 May the perimeter of his company's night position was attached by a large enemy force. Moving to the edge of the perimeter Captain Dabney fearlessly adjusted air strkes to within fifty meters of his units position. He then directed a counteroffensive and sweep off the area. Another heavy engagement occured on 9 May when Captain Dabney sprung an ambush on the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong, He moved among his men, encouraging them and directing their fire, and at one point personally manned a machine gun to kill three Viet Cong who were less than twenty-five meters from his position. By afternoon enemy soldires were fleeing in all directions. During the rest of the afternoon and the next day Captain Dabney conducted a sweep of the area which crushed the remaining pockets of resistance. Captain Dabney'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.
Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.