TAPS - Col William H. Dabney, VMI '61

[RahVaMil2009]

Another Marine and VMI Alumnus to guard the pearly gates.

William Howard Dabney
Veteran Marine Corps Commander Was Silver Star Winner, Commandant Of VMI Corps of Cadets
William Howard Dabney, Colonel, U.S.M.C., retired, of Lexington, Virginia, died Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at his home at the age of 77.

He was born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of the late Hugh Keane Dabney and Mary Hennessey Dabney.

Raised in Panama and Tidewater Virginia, he graduated from the Christ Church School in Middlesex County in 1953, and attended Yale University for one year before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1953.

He attained the rank of Sergeant before enrolling at Virginia Military Institute and graduating with the class of 1961.

He married Virginia McCandlish Puller, daughter of Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller in September, 1961.

An infantry officer, Colonel Dabney served 37 years in the Marine Corps, including two tours in Vietnam, and earned numerous citations, including the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry. While in Vietnam, he commanded India Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, on Hill 881S during the Battle of Khe Sanh, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross. He later commanded 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, the 9th Marine Regiment, and Headquarters Battalion.

He retired from active duty in 1990, following his final posting as commanding officer of the Naval ROTC Unit at VMI, where he served as Commandant of the VMI Corps of Cadets.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William Howard Dabney, Jr. and an infant daughter, Anne Christian Dabney.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Virginia Puller Dabney; one sister, Martha Dabney Leclere of Stanardsville; a daughter-in-law, Andrea Shilt Dabney of Greenwich, Connecticut; one son, Lewis Puller Dabney (Kristin) of Lynchburg; one daughter, Virginia Keane Dabney Kauders (Eric) of Richmond; and six grandchildren, Page Dabney, Caroline Dabney, Virginia Kauders, Ellie Dabney, Anna Kate Dabney and Andrew Kauders.

Colonel Dabney was a member of the R.E. Lee Episcopal Church in Lexington.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2012, at R. E. Lee Episcopal Church with the Rev. Tom Crittenden officiating, with a reception following at Virginia Military Institute at Moody Hall.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, Virginia 22172, or the VMI Foundation, 304 Letcher Avenue, Lexington, Virginia 24450.

Arrangements are being handled by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.

Rest in Peace, Sir.

 

[bruno]

I never met Col Dabney as he was the Commandant long after I graduated. But a friend of mine (himself a retired Marine Col)- posted this about Col Dabney (who was a Navy Cross winner for actions during the siege of Khe Sanh, and the son in law of USMC legend and VMI Alum LTGen Chesty Puller):

"I was tabbed to be an evaluator for a cold Wx ex in AK In 79. Col Dabney was the OIC. He was the consummate gentlemen, superb role model, nothing fazed him or ever got him excited. Always calm pleasant focused on getting the job done. We all learned a lot from him. He will be missed. Another giant from our Corps departs for his well deserved rest n reward. Semper FI Sir."

RIP Col Dabney and RIP Col Buzz Snyder USA who was his predecessor as Commandant and who passed away the day prior. VMI lost two good men this week.

 

[bruno]

I never met Col Dabney as he was the Commandant long after I graduated. But a friend of mine (himself a retired Marine Col)- posted this about Col Dabney (who was a Navy Cross winner for actions during the siege of Khe Sanh, and the son in law of USMC legend and VMI Alum LTGen Chesty Puller):

"I was tabbed to be an evaluator for a cold Wx ex in AK In 79. Col Dabney was the OIC. He was the consummate gentlemen, superb role model, nothing fazed him or ever got him excited. Always calm pleasant focused on getting the job done. We all learned a lot from him. He will be missed. Another giant from our Corps departs for his well deserved rest n reward. Semper FI Sir."

RIP Col Dabney and RIP Col Buzz Snyder USA who was his predecessor as Commandant and who passed away the day prior. VMI lost two good men this week.

The citation from Col Dabney's Navy Cross:
Navy Cross CitationDate of Action: January 21 to April 14, 1968

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel [then Captain] William H. Dabney (MCSN: 0-80399), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of two heavily reinforced rifle companies of the Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 21 January to 14 April 1968. During the entire period, Colonel Dabney's force stubbornly defended Hill 881S, a regional outpost vital to the defense of the Khe Sanh Combat Base. Following his bold spoiling attack on 20 January 1968, shattering a much larger North Vietnamese Army (NVA) force deploying to attack Hill 881S, Colonel Dabney's force was surrounded and cut off from all outside ground supply for the entire 77 day Siege of Khe Sanh. Enemy snipers, machine guns, artillery, and 120-millimeter mortars responded to any daylight movement on his position. In spite of deep entrenchments, his total casualties during the siege were close to 100 percent. Helicopters were his only source of resupply, and each such mission brought down a cauldron of fire on his landing zones. On numerous occasions Colonel Dabney raced into the landing zone under heavy hostile fire to direct debarkation of personnel and to carry wounded Marines to evacuation helicopters. The extreme difficulty of resupply resulted in conditions of hardship and deprivation seldom experienced by American forces. Nevertheless, Colonel Dabney's indomitable spirit was truly an inspiration to his troops. He organized his defenses with masterful skill and his preplanned fires shattered every enemy probe on his positions. He also devised an early warning system whereby NVA artillery and rocket firings from the west were immediately reported by lookouts to the Khe Sanh Combat Base, giving exposed personnel a few life saving seconds to take cover, saving countless lives, and facilitating the targeting of enemy firing positions. Colonel Dabney repeatedly set an incredible example of calm courage under fire, gallantly exposing himself at the center of every action without concern for his own safety. Colonel Dabney contributed decisively to ultimate victory in the Battle of Khe Sanh, and ranks among the most heroic stands of any American force in history. By his valiant combat leadership, exceptional bravery, and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Dabney reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.[

3]

I can't imagine a better example of what being an officer should be all about: "calm courage under fire... without concern for his own safety..."

 

[NorwichDad]

What a great man and inspiration

He led on the battlefield and must have been a great mentor to so many young people at VMI and in the Marines.

God Bless Him

 

[bob80q]

**EDITED**

-TN

Violation of forum rules

 

[Garcia Joe]

India 6 actual this is Echo 3 Golf over , E3 this is India 6 go over ,Roger sit rep as follows over Mike 1 Alpha I say again Mike 1 alpha over . E3 Outstanding over RTB over . (translated radio operator procedure Colonel Dabneys call sign India 6 actual responding to then E3 Lcpl Garcias call sign E3Golf after the last training mission was completed at 29 palms that Mike 1 mission 1 was Alpha accopmlished .the last time I spoke to him on the radio and transfered to reserves. when we first met he was a LTCol in comand of 1st bn 1st Marines and a full Colonel commanding the 1st Marine Regiment he promoted me twice and took me with him when he assumed comand of the Regiment .
Col Dabney was my first CO when I reported to H&S 1st BN 1st Marines I was assigned as his radio operator He was the most outstanding Marine I have ever known.He led from the front and waited the last in the chow line until all his marines ate before he did and looked after his Marines like his own sons and brothers. A Lt onced ask him why he used the term Sir with his enlisted Marines he said it was only fair to impart mutal respect for your fellow Marine . I did not serve with him in combat and served with him for three years and would have followed him anywhere . I was his radio operator ,clerk, driver cook and bodyguard and soccer goalie, (he loved kicking our ass around the field ) and he taught me and all his Marines what it ment to be A United States Marine . I will be honored to report for duty with your unit when I die on earth Sir , India 6 Actual Sierra Fox over (meaning Semper Fiedelis Sir) . E5Garcia out over .