Post 2 named in memory of David C. Dolby

In his first of five tours in Vietnam, David C. Dolby joined an elite group of true American heroes. The lifetime member of American Veterans Post 2 in Long Neck was awarded the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions May 21, 1966.

In a moving May 28 ceremony, the post was named in his honor. The Royersford, Pa., resident passed away suddenly at the age of 64 Aug. 6, 2010, after a lifetime of working to better veterans’ lives. He was attending a veterans’ gathering with his brother Daniel in Spirit Lake, Idaho, when he passed away.

He vacationed and spent several weekends each year in the Long Neck area where he joined Post 2 and became an active member. He also visited Cape Henlopen High School to speak to students about his experiences.

Four heroic hours

On his first tour of duty in Vietnam, Dolby’s platoon, U.S. Army Company B, 8^th Calvary Regiment, 1^st Calvary Division, came under heavy enemy fire, killing six platoon members immediately; many were wounded. Aware platoon leader Lt. Robert Crum Jr. was critically wounded and the platoon was in a precarious position, Dolby moved the wounded to safety and deployed the remaining men to engage the enemy.

Facing intense enemy fire, Dolby attacked and single-handedly killed three enemy machine gunners and neutralized enemy fire allowing other soldiers to advance to secure their flank.

During the subsequent fighting, he carried a seriously wounded soldier away from the fighting and then returned to the forward area, crawling to within 150 feet of enemy bunkers. He threw smoke grenades to mark the bunkers for air strikes even though he was under fire at close range from enemy snipers and automatic weapons. In addition, he directed artillery fire that succeeded in silencing several enemy weapons. Dolby remained in his exposed location until his comrades were able to get to more secure positions.

“His actions of 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,” according to the official statement read at the medal ceremony in Washington, D.C., when he received the award May 28, 1968, from President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Fewer than 3,500 service men and women have received the Congressional Medal of Honor since it was initiated at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861. Dolby joins a small group of just 248 recipients from the Vietnam War.

Of the 859 recipients since 1941, more than half were awarded posthumously and only 85 medal winners are alive today.

Besides assisting veterans his entire life, one of his passions was to draw more attention to the neglected Medal of Honor Grove at the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pa. Thanks to his actions, several veterans groups have committed to support the park dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients.

Life was not always easy for Dolby after he left the military. He worked at several jobs including as a painting contractor with his brother. His wife, Xuan, whom he met in Vietnam, died in 1987.

“He accomplished the impossible,” said Post 2 Commander William Ketler. “We can all grant him a simple dignity by supporting our troops and veterans.”

Gary O’Neal, who served with Dolby from 1969-1970, called him “my battle buddy.”

AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop said the medal comes with a great responsibility that Dolby was able to live up to.

Dolby also received the Bronze and Silver stars and a Purple Heart.