TFH 3/26: Private First Class Douglas E. Dickey, USMC

Douglas Eugene Dickey was born on Christmas Eve, 1946. He graduated from high school in his home town of Greenville, OH and first enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in December, 1965 and switched to the active Marine Corps in April, 1966.

After recruit and infantry training in California, he was assigned to combat in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and part of the 3rd Marine Division. In combat with Company C of that battalion on March 26, 1967 - forty-five years ago today - he gallantly sacrificed himself to save his fellow Marines from an enemy grenade, and was awarded our Nation's highest honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (A-L):


*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. 

PFC Dickey rests in peace at Brock Cemetery in Greenville, OH. His name appears on Panel 17E, Line 50 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The 4th Marine Regiment is still a component of the 3rd Marine Division stationed on Okinawa.