Thomas W Dunn also on the Madison County Hall of Heroes…

  in the Madison County, Alabama Courthouse.

THOMAS W. DUNN was born in Sheffield, Alabama.

 

BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH VALOR

  

Thomas W. Dunn is a native Alabamian and was raised in Huntsville. Living in Huntsville,

his family moved to Colbert County for a temporary job of three months and during their

stay Tom was born prematurely and only weighed 1 pound 4 ounces at birth. In 1963 he

enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17.

On January 20th 1970, while serving with the First Marine Division in the Republic of

Vietnam, Staff Sergeant Thomas W. Dunn coordinated a joint unit operation of US Marines

and South Koreans in the search of a tunnel complex that was reported to be occupied by

Viet Cong cadre. Upon locating the enemy tunnel site he observed an enemy solider

entering a cave. He fearlessly approached the cave entrance and demanded the soldier’s

surrender. Three enemy soldiers emerged from the cave and were captured by Staff

Sergeant Dunn. Unwilling to risk the lives of his comrades, Staff Sergeant Dunn then

entered the cave alone to search for additional enemy forces. In his search he located vast

quantities of enemy grenades and ammunition, all of which were destroyed by allied

forces. SSGT Dunn, 3rd CIT, continued to distinguish himself by his exemplary

performance of duty which was instrumental in the apprehension of several important

members of the Viet Cong Infrastructure, the

destruction of two major Viet Cong headquarters, and the neutralization of enemy attempts

to control the local populace.

For his heroic actions Thomas W. Dunn was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.