Raymond H. Dobbins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Raymond H. Dobbins (0-5325237), Captain (Infantry), 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 D, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Captain Dobbins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 November 1967 while serving as Commanding Officer of an infantry company on a battalion search and destroy operation near Loc Ninh. While maneuvering in pursuit of enemy snipers, his company was attacked by a large hostile unit firing automatic weapons, small arms and rockets. Captain Dobbins quickly deployed his main force into an effective defensive perimeter and then fearlessly moved seventy-five meters across the bullet-swept battlefield to lead his flank elements back into the perimeter. He was seriously wounded as the enemy concentrated fire on the command group, but he refused aid and assumed command of the battalion since his commander had been killed by the savage barrage. He exposed himself to withering fire time after time to reorganize the defenses and direct treatment of the wounded. The enemy force intensified its attack, and he skillfully directed artillery and air strikes to within thirty meters of his lines to repel the vicious assaults. For two hours, Captain Dobbins continually exposed himself to hostile weapons to move among his men, encouraging them and directing their fire. When the insurgents finally broke contact, he directed one platoon to secure a landing zone and organized search parties to cover the battleground and moved the wounded to the evacuation site. Weak from loss of blood, he resolutely led his men until he was no longer able to continue. Captain Dobbins’ 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.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6703 (December 30, 1967)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Raymond H. Dobbins (0-5325237), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Advisory Team 22, Second Regional Assistance Command, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Dobbins distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 7 November 1971, while serving as Operations Advisor to the 42d Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Captain Dobbins was advising an extraction of units of the 2d and 4th Battalions of the 42d Regiment when the enemy started shelling the fire base in an apparent attempt to disrupt the extraction. Due to the fact that Captain Dobbins was the only United States Advisor on the fire base, he ignored his own personal safety and continued to move about the fire base as he advised the Regimental Operations Officer and Battalion Commanders concerning the situation. The enemy’s fire caused many casualties on the fire base, some of which needed urgent medical evacuation. Captain Dobbins then volunteered to assist in organizing a medical evacuation of wounded personnel. While still exposing himself to small arms fire and also dodging the shelling, Captain Dobbins still managed to identify suspected enemy positions as targets for the gunships. His actions at this time assisted in silencing the enemy fire temporarily, thus allowing the medical evacuation to be a success. His personal display of gallantry under intense hostile fire and his sound and timely recommendations to the Senior Advisor and the Regimental S3 during this battle were singularly outstanding. Captain Dobbins’ conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
Headquarters, US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 556 (February 24, 1972)