THE DEATH OF FREEDOM FIGHTER DAVID DOLBY

Credit: HomeOfHeroes.com

SPIRIT LAKE, Idaho – Sergeant David C. Dolby, a Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Friday in Spirit Lake, Idaho.

Dolby received his Medal of Honor on Sept. 28, 1967 for service on May 21, 1966 in Vietnam. The citation was issued for Dolby’s gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

Sergeant Dolby was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.

Dolby and his platoon came under intense enemy fire as they were advancing tactically. With many members of his platoon wounded, including the platoon leader, Dolby moved the wounded men to safety and directed the rest of the platoon to engage the enemy.

The citation says that Dolby’s unsurpassed valor during four hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers.

Dolby was 64. Funeral services are pending.

There are 87 living recipients of the Medal of Honor today.


Sergeant David C. Dolby

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, when his platoon, while advancing tactically, suddenly came under intense fire from the enemy located on a ridge immediately to the front. Six members of the platoon were killed instantly and a number were wounded, including the platoon leader. Sgt. Dolby's every move brought fire from the enemy. However, aware that the platoon leader was critically wounded, and that the platoon was in a precarious situation, Sgt. Dolby moved the wounded men to safety and deployed the remainder of the platoon to engage the enemy. Subsequently, his dying platoon leader ordered Sgt. Dolby to withdraw the forward elements to rejoin the platoon. Despite the continuing intense enemy fire and with utter disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Dolby positioned able-bodied men to cover the withdrawal of the forward elements, assisted the wounded to the new position, and he, alone, attacked enemy positions until his ammunition was expended. Replenishing his ammunition, he returned to the area of most intense action, single-handedly killed 3 enemy machine gunners and neutralized the enemy fire, thus enabling friendly elements on the flank to advance on the enemy redoubt. He defied the enemy fire to personally carry a seriously wounded soldier to safety where he could be treated and, returning to the forward area, he crawled through withering fire to within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers and threw smoke grenades to mark them for air strikes. Although repeatedly under fire at close range from enemy snipers and automatic weapons, Sgt. Dolby directed artillery fire on the enemy and succeeded in silencing several enemy weapons. He remained in his exposed location until his comrades had displaced to more secure positions. His actions of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby's heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army.

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

—Shakespeare HAMLET