08 May 2003
Thomas Earl Dobrinska
was in Vietnam for 168 days,
serving as a Platoon Leader in
B Company, 2/12th Cavalry.
The photo, courtesy of Jerry McLain, shows
2LT Dobrinska and his troops
crossing the little stream near LZ Ross.
During those 168 days,
he earned the Distinguished Service Cross
and two Silver Star medals.
On 9 February 1968,
during the height of the Tet fighting,
he earned the Purple Heart.
On 10 February 1968 he died of his wounds.
Thomas Earl Dobrinska's body
is buried in
Saint Joseph's Catholic Cemetery,
Norwood Township, Langlade County, Wisconsin.
His spirit lives
in the memories of those he led.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM
APO SAN FRANCISCO 96375
17 JULY 1968
General Orders
Number 3201
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
DOBRINSKA, THOMAS E. O5337688 SECOND LIEUTENANT INFANTRY
Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date Action: |
9 February 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Second Lieutenant Dobrinska distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 February 1968 as a platoon leader of an airmobile infantry company on a combat mission near Than Bon Pho. His unit had successfully obtained two objectives of its three goal assault, and Lieutenant Dobrinska, realizing the importance of the momentum of his platoon's attack, continued charging the hostile emplacements. His platoon sustained several casualties and he repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy fire as he personally carried the casualties to safety. He then returned to his unit leading the attack against the well entrenched insurgents. As his platoon was temporarily driven back, he pulled two more wounded soldiers to a covered position. Twice more he led his men forward, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy forces, only to be forced to withdraw each time by the intensity of the hostile fire. Disregarding his personal safety, Lieutenant Dobrinska then single-handedly charged the enemy automatic weapons position blocking his unit's advance and succeeded in destroying it. During this assault, he was mortally wounded, but his courageous actions enabled his unit to seize the final objective and permitted the quick evacuation of the injured personnel. Second Lieutenant Dobrinska's extraordinary heroism 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.
|
Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
ROBERT C. TABER
Brigadier General, US Army
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
(signed)
R. L. DALLAM
Colonel, AGC
Adjutant General
|
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE)
APO San Francisco 96490
1 May 1968
General Orders
Number 2694
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
DOBRINSKA, THOMAS E. O5337688 SECOND LIEUTENANT INFANTRY
Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry
| Awarded: |
Silver Star |
| Date Action: |
4 February 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Dobrinska distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 4 February 1968, while serving as a platoon leader with Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry during a combat mission near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. When his unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy force and sustained several casualties, Lieutenant Dobrinska exposed himself to the hostile fire as he led a successful assault against the enemy positions. His courageous action inflicted numerous casualties on the hostile force and contributed greatly to the successful completion of the unit's mission. Lieutenant Dobrinska's gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Unites States Army.
|
Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
GEORGE W. PUTNAM JR.
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
(signed)
DONALD W. CONNELLY
LTC, AGC
Adjutant General
|
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE)
APO San Francisco 96490
17 May 1968
General Orders
Number 3481
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
DOBRINSKA, THOMAS E. O5337688 SECOND LIEUTENANT INFANTRY
Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry
| Awarded: |
Silver Star (First Oak Leaf Cluster) |
| Date Action: |
12 January 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Dobrinska distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 12 January 1968, while serving as a platoon leader with Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry during a search and destroy mission in the Que Son Valley, Republic of Vietnam. When his unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy force, Lieutenant Dobrinska exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved from man to man to insure his men were in proper assault positions. Disregarding his own safety, he then led a successful assault against the enemy emplacements, forcing the enemy to flee. Still under heavy enemy sniper fire, he crossed open ground to assist in evacuating his wounded comrades. Lieutenant Dobrinska's gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
|
Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
CONRAD L. STANSBERRY
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
(signed)
DONALD W. CONNELLY
LTC, AGC
Adjutant General
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From a fellow soldier in 2/12 Cav.
E-mail address is not available.
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