William H . Dabney William Howard Dabney , ( September 28 , 1934 – February 15 , 2012 ) , was a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps and was awarded a number of medals for actions in the Vietnam War . He also served as the Commandant of Cadets at Virginia Military Institute ( VMI ) from 1989 to 1990 . Biography . Dabney was born in St . John , New Brunswick , Canada on September 28 , 1934 to Hugh Keane Dabney ( 1893 – 1972 ) and Mary Hennessey Dabney ( 1902 – 1990 ) . He was raised in Panama and Gloucester County , Virginia , graduating from Christchurch School in Middlesex County , Virginia in 1953 . He attended Yale University 1953 - 54 and enlisted in the USMC in 1954 . He was discharged and enlisted in the USMCR in 1957 . He attended Virginia Military Institute , graduating in 1961 . He was commissioned in the USMC in 1960 . He was married to Virginia McCandlish Puller in September 1961 . She was the daughter of Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell " Chesty " Puller , the most decorated U . S . Marine in history . Dabney served two tours of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War . On his first tour from 1967 to 1968 he was in command of India Company , 3rd Battalion , 26th Marines , stationed on Hill 881 South during the Battle of Khe Sanh . Dabney was awarded the Silver Star for action on January 20 , 1968 on Hill 881 South . He was also the central real - life character in Kenton Michael ' s Historical fiction titled , " 1968 " . In 2005 , Dabney was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on Hill 881 South from January 21 to April 14 , 1968 . He also received a Bronze Star and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for actions during that same time period . On his second tour from 1970 to 1971 he was Senior Adviser , Vietnamese Marine infantry battalion , Khe Sanh , Vietnam . Dabney received a second Bronze Star , two Navy Commendation Medal s , a Purple Heart and a second Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his service during his second tour . He received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal during his service as Chief of the Combat Operations Center , National Emergency Airborne Command Post , Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska , 1980 - 1981 . He received the Legion of Merit while serving as Commanding Officer , Headquarters Battalion , Headquarters , Marine Corps , Henderson Hall , 1984 - 1987 . He also served as the Commandant of Cadets at Virginia Military Institute from 1989 to 1990 and was the Commanding Officer of VMI ' s NROTC Unit from 1987 to 1990 . Dabney retired June 30 , 1990 . Dabney died February 15 , 2012 , at his home in Lexington , Virginia . His parents are buried in the Ware Episcopal Church Cemetery in Glouchester , Virginia . Navy Cross Citation . " Date 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 .