28 Jan 2005 Wesley was like a brother to me. I used to go to him and his brother Archie for all kinds of help. They were always there for me and I still miss him after thirty plus years. I think of him often. In the last few years I have called on him numerous times to watch over my oldest son who is a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force when he has been sent over to the Persian Gulf and thankfully my guardian angel has brought him home to me. Thank You, Wes, for everything. From a cousin, Bonnie (Horner) Long ourblong@verizon.net

 

13 Feb 2005 REMEMBERED by his brothers, Archie and Donnie, and by his nephew and great-nephew, Nathan Wesley Dodson and Wesley Jacob Dodson dondeb1@verizon.net

 

15 Feb 2005 Remembered By his nephew and niece, Archie F. Dodson Jr. and Renee {Dodson} Bracken, and by his great nephew and nieces, Garrett Edward Dodson and Andrea Jayne, Billie Sue, and Bailie Bracken. Wesley's memory will never die. As I passed his legacy onto my children, they are passing it on to theirs. From his brother, Archie F. Dodson Sr. afdcsd@pghmail.com

 

14 Mar 2005 Wesley, you're my cousin by blood but you're my Brother by Vietnam. We will meet again some day in the Big Base Camp in the Sky and I'll finally be able to shake your hand and say "WELCOME HOME, BROTHER!". Barry J Gregorich Co A 1/501 101st Airborne Division 1970/1971 218 Thyme Lane, Ligonier, Pa. 15658 barrygregorich@yahoo.com

 

HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION APO San Francisco 96375 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 8019 AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. DODSON, WESLEY E PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E3 United States Army Company A 2d Battalion 28th Infantry Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" device Date action: 17 October 1967 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: On this date, during Operation Shenandoah II, Private First Class Dodson was serving as a rifleman on a search and destroy mission near Chon Thanh. As his unit was moving in a dense jungle, it was suddenly subjected to intensive fire from a reinforced Viet Cong regiment utilizing small arms, automatic weapons, rockets, and claymore mines. Private First Class Dodson immediately returned fire and maneuvered to a position from which he could direct maximum effective fire on the insurgents. During the initial barrage the unit sustained numerous casualties. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Private First Class Dodson repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved throughout the area searching for casualties. After successfully evacuating several of his comrades, he returned to the forward position to find that his unit was going to pull back and rejoin the main force. He unhesitatingly volunteered to stay behind and provide covering fire for the movement. As he valiantly covered his comrades' withdrawal, he was mortally wounded by the hostile fire. Private First Class Dodson's outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty,and personal bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962. FOR THE COMMANDER: Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: Adjutant General HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION APO San Francisco 96375 GENERAL ORDERS AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER) 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. DODSON, WESLEY E PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E3 United States Army Company A 2d Battalion 28th Infantry Awarded: Bronze Star Medal (1st OLC) Date action: 30 September 1967 to 17 October 1967 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For meritorious achievement Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962. FOR THE COMMANDER: Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: Adjutant General

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall PFC Wesley Dodson was one of 60 Americans who were lost during the battle of Ong Thanh. The 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry had been operating west of the village of Chon Thanh since October 8th, conducting "search and destroy" operations in an area known to be occupied by large Viet Cong forces. Only four of the battalion's five companies (HHC, A, B, and D) were involved; C Company was providing fire base security for the supporting artillery unit. On the morning of 17 October, Alpha Company led out from the night defensive perimeter on a recon-in-force with the battalion command group in company and Delta Company in trail. Around noontime Alpha was engaged by a very much larger enemy force and Delta Company deployed in support. By the time the remaining forces could deploy in support of the engaged troops, the battalion command group and both Alpha and Delta had sustained very heavy casualties. Charlie Company was air-lifted in to assist Bravo and HHC and by late afternoon the area was secured as the VC forces withdrew. The fighting on 17 October resulted in 55 men killed in action, 3 who later died of their wounds, two missing in action, and 75 or more wounded. All 65 men in Alpha Company had been killed or wounded, Delta Company was little better off, and the Battalion Commander and his command group were dead. The Virtual Wall's Ong Thanh memorial summarizes the action and lists the dead. The 2/28's artillery Forward Observer, 2nd Lt Harold Durham (C Btry, 6/15th Arty), received a posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions, and the 15th Arty's memorial includes a newspaper article which gives another account of the battle.

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