William H. Dabney collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

William H. Dabney collection, 1960-1991. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
1.5 cubic feet 2 boxes
Creator:
Dabney, William H. (William Howard), 1934-2012
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

William H. Dabney collection, 1960-1991. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of items related to William H. Dabney, including:

  • Oral history interviews
  • Printed material
  • Articles and clippings
  • Citations for military awards
  • Photographs
  • Military papers
  • Incoming correspondence
This collection also includes information about Dabney's role in the Battle of Khe Sanh, Vietnam, defense of Hill 881S.

Biographical / historical:

William Howard Dabney was born in 1934 in St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada to Hugh Keane Dabney (1893-1972) and Mary Hennessey Dabney (1905-?). He attended Yale University and then enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1954. He attained the rank of Sergeant before enrolling at VMI and graduating with the class of 1961. Dabney married Virginia McCandlish Puller (1940-2018), daughter of Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller in September, 1961.

An infantry officer, Dabney served 37 years in the United States Marine Corps, including two tours in Vietnam. He earned numerous citations, including the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, and the Navy Cross. While in Vietnam, he commanded India Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, on Hill 881S during the Battle of Khe Sanh, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross in 2005.

In 1987 Dabney reported to VMI as Professor of Naval Science and head of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit. He was subsequently appointed Commandant of Cadets and retired from VMI in May 1990. He spent his retirement years in Lexington, Virginia, where he died in 2012.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks