Dockery ’11 Receives Medal of Honor for Actions in Afghanistan
Retired Major Nicholas Dockery ’11 received the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award, for valor in combat while serving in Afghanistan.
Dockery received the honor from President Donald J. Trump at a ceremony in the White House on June 18. The medal was first authorized in 1861 for Sailors and Marines, and the following year for Soldiers as well. Since then, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of all military services who distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty during combat, 78 of whom are West Point graduates.
On October 2, 2012, then-Second Lieutenant Dockery was serving as Platoon Leader for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. On this day, a large and well-armed Taliban force ambushed Dockery’s platoon, leading to a four-hour altercation. Despite the extremely restricted urban terrain, Dockery was able to maintain contact with the enemy, personally risking his life on numerous occasions to protect and evacuate three wounded members of his platoon, according to U.S. Army reports.
During the exfiltration, his team again came under heavy fire, but Dockery voluntarily stayed behind to provide covering fire, allowing the wounded to safely evacuate. Moving across the battlefield, he directed a multiple-rocket-propelled-grenade attack against the enemy, halting their final assault. According to Army reports, Dockery did not leave the village until all the wounded were safely in a vehicle.
“Over the course of four hours, Dockery’s unwavering courage, selflessness and aggressive leadership under extreme enemy fire were instrumental in the confirmed deaths of at least a team-sized element of Taliban fighters,” according to the U.S. Army. “Dockery’s ability to repel multiple enemy attacks was the deciding factor that saved the lives of his fellow American and Afghan soldiers on the ground. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism, valor, intrepidity and gallantry, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.”
Dockery is also the 2017 recipient of the WPAOG Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms. The award, named for 2LT Alexander R. Nininger ’41 and presented to a recent graduate on active duty who has shown tremendous heroic action in battle, was presented to Dockery for his actions during his 2012 deployment in Afghanistan.
During his acceptance speech at West Point on September 28, 2017, Dockery addressed the Corps of Cadets:
“All of your experiences here are part of a unique journey that will make you, like it did for me on October 2, 2012, capable of flipping your M4 carbine rifle to three-round burst, charging down an alleyway alone under enemy fire, killing the enemy, and preventing them from capturing your wounded team leader.”
See list of Graduate Medal of Honor Recipients
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