Nicholas Dockery
Nicholas Dockery | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait of Retired U.S. Army Maj. Nicholas Dockery | |
| Nickname | Nick[1] |
| Born | October 3, 1981 |
Branch | United States Army |
Service years | 2004–2026 |
Rank | Major |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division 7th Special Forces Group |
Conflicts | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Medal Legion of Merit Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal |
| Education | St. John's Military School New Mexico Military Institute United States Military Academy Yale University |
Nicholas Dockery (born 3 October 1981) is an American soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan in 2012.[2]
Early life
[edit]Dockery was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended and graduated from St. John's Military School.[3]
Military service
[edit]Initially hoping to attend the United States Military Academy, he was unable to achieve an appointment, therefore Dockery enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard before attending the New Mexico Military Institute (transferring to the New Mexico Army National Guard while doing Army ROTC at the military institute). While at the New Mexico Military Institute, he reapplied to the United States Military Academy and was accepted.[3] Dockery graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2011.[4]
As an infantry officer, Dockery deployed to Afghanistan first to Kunar and Kapisa Province in 2012, and to Zabul Province in 2014.
In 2015, Dockery completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection and was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group. In 2019, Dockery took command of the group's Headquarters and Headquarters Company. In 2022, Dockery was the aide-de-camp for 1st Special Forces Command's commanding general.[3]
In 2022, while assigned to the United States Special Operations Command, Dockery was named the Military Times Soldier of the Year.[5] He is also a recipient of the Douglas MacArthur Leadership award,[5] and the Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms.[6]
In 2023, Dockery completed graduate courses at Yale University's Jackson School of Global Affairs, and at the United States Military Academy. In 2024, Dockery was a White House fellow, then was assigned to The Pentagon as part of U.S. Army Special Operations Command.[3]
Kapisa Province action
[edit]On October 2, 2012, Dockery's unit was ambushed in Kapisa provice. Engaging the Taliban forces that attacked the unit, he rallied American and Afghans in the fight. He then went to the aid of a wounded American, consolidated his allies, used his body to shield an ally from an exploding grenade, and rescued an unconscious ally from being taken by the Taliban.[5] After, he exposed himself to direct gunships to provide suppressive fire upon Taliban forces.[7]
Medal of Honor citation
[edit]The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Nicholas Dockery, United States Army. Second Lieutenant distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on October 2, 2012, while serving as a Platoon Leader, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. On this day, Second Lieutenant Nicholas Dockery’s platoon and associated Afghan forces were ambushed by an estimated 150 Taliban fighters. Ordered to eliminate the threat, Lieutenant Dockery planned and led an assault on the enemy forces. Lieutenant Dockery traversed 100 yards of open terrain under enemy fire to reach U.S. forces in need of assistance. Hearing a U.S. soldier had been wounded, Lieutenant Dockery fought his way to soldiers who were taking cover in a building that was occupied by enemy fighters. Realizing the immediate danger, he organized and led the forces in clearing six rooms of the multi-level compound, killing one enemy fighter and detaining two others. When an enemy grenade landed nearby, he shoved a team member behind cover preventing him from being killed or wounded by the resulting blast. Attempting to regain momentum after the blast, Lieutenant Dockery led a four-man team to clear the compound’s courtyard before the enemy used a rocket-propelled grenade, resulting in an explosion that incapacitated two soldiers. Although dazed and wounded himself, Lieutenant Dockery went to the aid of the wounded soldiers who were fully exposed to enemy fire. After helping one soldier to his feet, he engaged and killed two enemy fighters who were attempting to approach the other injured soldier. Lieutenant Dockery provided first aid and used his own body to shield the soldier from further injury, saving his life. Air support assets could not differentiate between friendly and enemy positions, so Lieutenant Dockery marked his position on the building’s roof, exposing himself to enemy fire on multiple occasions while providing covering fire to friendly forces evacuating the wounded. He was the last individual to leave the battlefield. Second Lieutenant Dockery’s conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
— [8]
Post-military career and Medal of Honor
[edit]
In 2025, Dockery began attending the University of Pennsylvania;[3][9] that same year he created a foundation named after himself focused on supporting art, equine therapy, and funding those who need assistance with mental health.[10] Dockery has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder.[3][11] In May 2026, Dockery retired from the United States Army.[3]
In 2026, Indiana congressman Jim Baird introduced legislation to elevate one of Dockery's two Silver Star Medal awards to a Medal of Honor;[12] in 2022 Dockery was the only army officer in the post-September 11th attacks era to have received two Silver Star Medals.[13] In the senate the legislation was advocated by senators Joni Ernst and Todd Young.[5]
On 18 June 2026, Dockey received the Medal of Honor at the White House for his actions in Kapisa Provice on October 2, 2012. Also receiving the award at the same ceremony were James C. Capers Jr., and posthumous recipient John Ripley.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ Fierro, Nicolas (3 April 2026). "Former Kan. military school student to receive Congressional Medal of Honor". St. Joseph Post. Saint Joseph, Missouri: Eagle Communication Inc. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- ↑ "President Trump to Award Medal of Honor". whitehouse.gov. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Major Nicholas Dockery: Medal of Honor Afghanistan". army.mil. United States Army. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ Adams, Matthew (18 June 2026). "2 Marines and 1 soldier receive the Medal of Honor". Stars and Stripes. Defense Media Activity. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Hodge Smith, Hope (4 March 2026). "Former Military Times Soldier of the Year Approved for Medal of Honor". Military Times. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
- ↑ "Dockery '11 Receives Medal of Honor for Actions in Afghanistan". westpointaog.org. West Point Association of Graduates. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ McIntyre, Vestal (18 June 2016). "Yale Jackson School alum Nicholas Dockery awarded the Medal of Honor". news.yale.edu. Yale University. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Nicholas Dockery". valor.militarytimes.com. Arlington, Virginia: Sightline Media Group. 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Yi, Yu Jin (9 July 2026). "Wharton MBA student recognized with Medal of Honor". The Daily Pennsylvanian. University of Pennsylvania: The Daily Pennsylvania, Inc. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
- ↑ Weissert, Will; Binkley, Collin (18 June 2026). "'A legend and a hero' Indianapolis native among 3 awarded Medal of Honor". WTHR. Indianapolis: Tegna Inc. Associated Press. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Special Forces vet gets Medal of Honor for saving team in fierce Afghanistan battle". Ottumwa Courier. Ottumwa, Iowa: Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. 22 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- ↑ "All Information (Except Text) for H.R.7194 - Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act". congress.gov. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
"Congressman Baird's Bill to Award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery Passes U.S. House Unanimously". baird.house.gov. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026. - ↑ Winkie, Davis (12 July 2022). "Soldier of the Year 2022 is only Army officer with two post-9/11 Silver Stars". Army Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ Binkley, Collin; Weissert, Will (18 June 2026). "President Trump presents the Medal of Honor to 3 veterans for heroism in Vietnam and Afghanistan". KOAT. Alburquerque: Hearst Television. Asociated Press. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
External links
[edit]
- "The Nicholas Dockery Foundation". dockeryfoundation.org. Alexandria, Virginia.
- Army Times (15 July 2022). Soldier of the Year 2022 Maj. Nicholas Dockery. Facebook.
- Etheridge, John (18 June 2014). 1st Lt. Nicholas Dockery, a sustainment and maintenance. nara.getarchive.net.
- "Nicholas Dockery". valor.MilitaryTimes.com. Military Times.