Private First Class
United States Marine Corps
Dewayne Williams
Citation
Citation
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DEWAYNE T.
WILLIAMS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
while serving as a Rifleman with the First Platoon, Company H, Second Battalion,
First Marines, First Marine Division in action against communist insurgent
forces in the Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class
Williams was a member of a combat patrol sent out from the platoon with
the mission of establishing positions in the company's are of operations,
from which it could intercept and destroy enemy sniper teams operating
in the area. On the night of 18 September 1968, as the patrol was preparing
to move from its daylight position to a preselected night position, it
was attacked from ambush by a squad of enemy using small arms and hand
grenades. Although severely wounded in the back by the close intense fire,
Private First Class Williams, recognizing the danger to the patrol, immediately
began to crawl forward toward a good firing position. While he was moving
under the continuing intense fire, he heard one of the members of the patrol
sound the alert that an enemy grenade had landed in their position. Reacting
instantly to the alert, he saw that the grenade had landed close to where
he was lying and without hesitation, in a
valiant act of heroism, he
rolled on top of the grenade as it exploded, absorbing the full and tremendous
impact of the explosion with his own body. Through his extraordinary initiative
and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, he saved the other members
of his patrol from serious
injury and possible loss
of life, and enabled them to successfully defeat the attackers and hold
their position until assistance arrived. His personal heroism and devotion
to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United
States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Richard M. Nixon
President of the United States
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