Dunagan joined the Army from Los Angeles, California, and by May 13, 1969, was serving as a captain in Company A, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division.

Dunagan was wounded on two occasions during this ferocious battle, fought four kilometers west of his battalion's firebase at LZ Professional.

With the lack of line officers in Alpha Company a primary consideration, he refused to be evacuated and thus, separated from his men.

Charlie Company massed it's M-60 machine guns on either side of the corridor through which Dunagan's men would pass and laid down a withering base of fire as Alpha and Echo-Recon maneuvered through the smoke screen to safety.

Major Dunagan's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Undaunted, he continued to display outstanding courage, professional competence, and leadership and successfully extricated his command from its untenable position on the evening of May 14.

Having maneuvered his command into contact with an adjacent friendly unit, he learned that a 6-man party from his company was under fire and had not reached the new perimeter.

Throughout the engagement, Maj. Dunagan's actions gave great inspiration to his men and were directly responsible for saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers.

Maj. Dunagan's extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S.