01 Mar 2002 John Michael Dalton and I served in the same Company. Excerpt from the Army's After Action Report. This is from an 18 page document titled 'The Battle of Charlie Company 1st of the 5th on the Cambodian Border', Nov. 21st, 1966. Unit Historical Report No. 7, declassification number 873541. "When the attack on the right flank began, Private First Class John M. Dalton moved his machine gun to the right and set it up. As the NVA advanced he repulsed them several times with a withering volume of fire. Wounded by shrapnel, Dalton remained at the gun, frustrating attempts to overrun the platoon. Wounded again by a bullet, the determined gunner remained at his weapon firing until he lost consciousness. Dalton, who died at his gun, had managed to save the second platoon from being overrun before the air strikes ended all such plans for the attacking NVA." At this point I do not know if John was decorated for this action but if anyone ever deserved it he did. From a fellow member of Charlie Company, Dale Isbell sonnyisbell@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall PFC John Dalton received the Silver Star for his heroism. The engagement described above took place while C Company, 1/5th Cavalry, was operating along the Cambodian border in Kontum Province, SVN. Charlie 1/5 lost 32 men killed in action in the battle: SFC Bobby W. Letbetter, Goldthwaite, TX SSG Charles K. Malone, Danville, PA SSG Max M. Woodsmall, Elnora, IN SGT Theodore A. Alkire, Ridgeley, WV SP4 Norman C. Farris, Springfield, MA (Bronze Star "V") SP4 Eugene E. Mitchell, Scottsboro, AL SP4 James E. Smythe, Reeds Spring, MO SP4 Wilbert Stewart, Baltimore, MD SP4 Lester E. Unger, Centerville, OH SP4 Donald G. Vernon, Ocala, FL PFC Gary D. Byford, Roundup, MT SP4 Louis Castillo, Chicago, IL (Medic, HHC with C/1/5) PFC Eduardo Chavez, Santa Paula, CA PFC John M. Dalton, Chicago, IL (Silver Star) PFC Carlito L. Dorsey, Seaside, CA PFC John L. Godfrey, Ligonier, IN PFC Ralls Hawkins, Macon, GA PFC Charles L. Hicks, Hazard, KY PFC Harvey Johnson, Madison Heights, VA PFC Marion E. Johnson, Milledgeville, GA PFC Carroll H. Jones, Richmond, VA PFC Arnold R. Krasnoff, New York, NY PFC Gamaliel Marcano-Diaz, Bayamon, PR PFC Larry D. Naasz, Roundup, MT PFC Joseph L. Rabon, Charleston Heights, SC PFC Edward J. Scahill, Randolph, MA PFC Samuel W. Smith, Baltimore, MD PFC Andrew L. Stephens, Livingston, TX PFC Clifford R. Stout, Trenton, NJ PFC Alvin B. Tucker, Nashville, NC PFC George A. Turner, Mulga, AL (Arty FO, B/1/77th Arty with C/1/5) PFC John F. Waden, Malden, MA These men are remembered on http://www.ranger25.com

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