Rank: Specialist 4
Unit: 919th Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11E – Armor Crewman
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: 3rd Platoon, Operation Akron
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 9-Jul-1932
Hometown: East St Louis, Illinois
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: Unknown
Start of tour: 13-Jul-1966
Incident date: 19-Jun-1967
Date of casualty: 19-Jun-1967
Age at death: 34
Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds. Individual was on combat operation when his unit engaged a hostile force in firefight.
Ten Blackhorse troopers died as a result of this incident:
SP4 Raymond Desmond Crowder Jr
SP4 William Jerry Dillon
PFC Edward Lee Fails Jr
SP4 Russell Louis Filiberti
SP4 Blaine Wilson Landers
PFC Bobby Louis Murphy
PFC Charles Howard Richards Jr
SSG Wayne Thomas Schumacher
SP5 William Norman Scott
PFC Leonard Vito Tedesco
Location of fatality: Phuoc Tuy, South Vietnam, Slope 30
Place of interment: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, Missouri, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SPECIALIST FOUR WILLIAM JERRY DILLON
19 JUNE 1967
919TH ENGINEER COMPANY (ARMORED)
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Dillon distinguished himself by valorous actions on 19 June 1967, while serving as a machine gunner on an ambush patrol in the jungles of Vietnam. During the early morning hours, Specialist Dillon’s unit came under intense hostile fire from an estimated three hundred well-armed Viet Cong while participating in Operation Akron. In the initial burst of insurgent fire, Specialist Dillon quickly leaped behind his M-60 machine gun and directed a devastating volley of highly accurate fire upon the attackers. As the violent exchange of fire intensified, Specialist Dillon alertly observed that his comrade’s machine gun had ceased to function. Without regard for personal safety, Specialist Dillon immediately proceeded to repair the damaged machine gun. After repairing the weapon, Specialist Dillon returned to his post and again resumed directing highly accurate and suppressive fire upon the insurgents. During the ensuing action, Specialist Dillon was struck by enemy fire and mortally wounded. Specialist Four Dillon’s personal bravery 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, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 3070 (7 July 1967)