Doug Dickey's Valor in Marine Corps Battle

Doug Dickey was an unlikely Marine hero. He was a delicate soul who sang within the college’s refrain and struggled to make it by boot camp. Nonetheless, within the horrible seconds that handed after a grenade landed in the course of his platoon’s command aspect, Doug selected to sacrifice his life to save lots of his comrades. For this Closing Valiant Act, Doug acquired the Medal of Honor.

Doug, a farm-raised individual from Ohio, joined the Marine Corps alongside four of his high school buddies. Upon deployment to Vietnam, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines led by “Blackjack” Westerman. This renowned unit was among the select Marine platoons executing amphibious operations during the Vietnam Conflict, showcasing their valor in battle.

During Operation Deckhouse VI and Operation Beacon Hill in Vietnam, Doug, a Marine in 2nd Platoon, Company C, showcased extraordinary bravery. In a fierce battle on March 26, 1967, the platoon faced a large NVA unit near the DMZ. Amid escalating casualties, Doug selflessly threw himself on an enemy grenade to protect his comrades. Although victory was achieved, the platoon suffered heavy losses, with only 12 out of over 40 men surviving the intense conflict. This act of valor exemplified the Marine Corps' core values of courage and selflessness.

Doug's fellow Marines in the 2nd Platoon never forgot about him after the intense battle during Operation Beacon on Easter Sunday in 1967. In 1997, they began an annual tradition of reuniting to honor their fallen comrade. Their first gathering took place in Doug's hometown, where Harold and Leona Dickey, the parents of the Marine who saved their lives 30 years earlier, were finally able to meet the brave men who served alongside their son.

A Closing Valiant Act is the results of over 14 years of analysis— drawing on Doug’s letters house, and greater than 50 interviews.

The private tales are woven right into a meticulously researched battle historical past, sourced from dozens of declassified fight reviews—yielding probably the most detailed account of Operation Beacon Hill but written.

Desk of Contents

1. Introduction: No Phrases; 2. An American Household; 3. A Distant Conflict; 4. The Buddy Program; 5. I Corps: “Marineland”; 6. Platoon 394; 7. 1st Battalion, 4th Marines: God, Nation, Obligation, Corps; 8. Okinawa; 9. The Particular Touchdown Pressure (SLF); 10. HMM 363: The Fortunate Purple Lions; 11. Troopers of the Sea; 12. Operation Deckhouse VI; 13. Subic; 14. A Purple Coronary heart; 15. Operation Beacon Hill; 16. Easter Sunday; 17. The Gold Star; 18. The Medal of Honor; 19. A Marine Hero is Honored; 20. Veterans; 21. Rally Level; 22. A Brotherhood; 23. The Legacy

From the Writer

Army
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Biography
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Vietnam Conflict
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Marine Corps
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Management
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