DOLAN, JAMES EDWIN
DOLAN, JAMES EDWIN
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade,
Date of Action: May 25, 1970
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James
Edwin Dolan, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion,
503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Specialist Four Dolan distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 May 1970 while serving as lead
man of a combat patrol in the Crescent Mountains. When his patrol encountered an
enemy bunker complex, Specialist Dolan and his team leader assaulted the
position. The enemy immediately countered with a barrage of fire which forced
the two aggressors to withdraw. During the withdrawal, Specialist Dolan was
seriously wounded by the enemy but continued to place suppressive fire on the
enemy to cover his comrades. Suddenly, an enemy grenade landed between
Specialist Dolan and two other team members. Shouting a warning to his
companions, he threw himself toward the grenade and shielded them from the
blast. Although quickly evacuated to nearby medical facilities, Specialist Dolan
expired a short time later. Specialist Dolan's extraordinary heroism and
devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit, and the United States Army.
HQ US
Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4504 (September 22, 1970)
Home Town: Scituate, Massachusetts
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