Daniel W. Dotson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Daniel W. Dotson, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Dotson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Uijongbu, Korea, on 24 March 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Dotson’s platoon moved with Company C in an assault against a well-entrenched and camouflaged enemy force which was fiercely defending its positions on Hill 337. With his platoon spearheading the attack, he observed one of his squads pinned down by a heavy mortar barrage and intense small-arms fire. He quickly reorganized them and maneuvered them to within fifty feet of an enemy emplacement. He then led them forward in a bayonet assault and, with utter disregard for his personal safety, jumped into the enemy dug-out, bayoneted one of the enemy soldiers, and killed the reaming two with a burst of fire from his carbine. Shortly thereafter, he charged another emplacement and moved close enough to throw grenades that killed four of the enemy. Throughout the ensuring action, he fearlessly and aggressively destroyed many enemy strong points to secure its objective.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 631 (August 11, 1951)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a second Oak Leaf Cluster to Daniel W. Dotson (0967869), First Lieutenant, Infantry, Company L, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 19 May 1951, near Choga-dong, Korea, Lieutenant Dotson’s platoon, having secured a position on a low rolling peak overlooking a swift flowing mountain stream, became subjected to fierce small arms fire from two enemy snipers higher up on the ridge line. Rather than expose his men to this danger, Lieutenant Dotson moved the unit into the cover of a draw where they could give protecting fire as he worked his way forward to the enemy positions. After cautiously advancing undetected upon the foe, he took careful aim and killed one sniper and wounded the second who managed to escape. As Lieutenant Dotson was returning to his position he suddenly came under fire of the remaining sniper. Hastily seeking cover, he returned the volley and subsequently shot the enemy soldier and killed him. Lieutenant Dotson’s aggressive and heroic spirit reflects high credit upon himself and the military service.