Aquilla J. Dyess

Infobox Military Person
name= Aquilla James Dyess
born= birth date|1909|1|11
died= death date and age|1944|2|2|1909|1|11
placeofbirth= Andersonville, Georgia
placeofdeath= KIA at Kwajalein Atoll
placeofburial=


caption= Aquilla J. Dyess, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1931–1936 (U.S. Army Reserve) 1936-1944 (USMCR)
rank= Lieutenant Colonel|
commands= 1st Battalion 24th Marines
unit=
battles= World War II *Battle of Kwajalein
awards= Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart
laterwork=general contractorLieutenant Colonel Aquilla James Dyess (January 11, 1909 – February 2, 1944) was a United States Marine Corps officer who was a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" at the head of his troops during World War II in the Battle of Kwajalein, on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands on February 2, 1944.

Biography

He was born on January 11, 1909 in Andersonville, Georgia. As a youth, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout, highest in the Boy Scouts.cite book |last = Townley |first = Alvin |origdate= 2006-12-26 |url= http://www.thomasdunnebooks.com/TD_TitleDetail.aspx?ISBN=0312366531|title = Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts |publisher = St. Martin's Press|location = New York |pages =pp. 18-19|id = ISBN 0-312-36653-1 |accessdate= 2006-12-29] Dyess is one of only seven known Eagle Scouts who also received the Medal of Honor. The others are Robert Edward Femoyer, Eugene B. Fluckey, Mitchell Paige, Benjamin L. Salomon, Leo K. Thorsness, and Jay Zeamer, Jr.. He is also the only American to receive both the Carnegie Medal for civilian heroism and the Medal of Honor. In 1929, he was awarded the Carnegie Medal for saving two swimmers off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina in 1928. [Smith, 1998]

Dyess graduated from Clemson College, Clemson, South Carolina, in 1932 with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. At Clemson, he served as a cadet major in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and was appointed a second lieutenant in the Army Infantry Reserve in 1931.

In civilian life, he was a general contractor. He also served as assistant director of a summer camp for boys.

Dyess was appointed a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve in November 1936. In 1937, 1stLt Dyess was awarded the Bronze Star as a shooting member of the Marine Corps Rifle Team which won the Hilton trophy in the National matches, and was given the same award in 1938 as an alternate member of the team that captured the Rattlesnake trophy in the matches.

Lieutenant Colonel Dyess was killed on February 2, 1944 by a burst of enemy machine gun fire while standing on the parapet of an anti-tank trench directing a group of infantry in a flanking attack against the last Japanese position in the northern part of Namur Island. In this final assault, LtCol Dyess posted himself between the opposing lines and, exposed to fire from heavy automatic weapons, led his troops in the advance. Wherever the attack was slowed by heavier enemy fire, he quickly appeared and placed himself at the head of his men and inspired them to push forward.

Lieutenant Colonel Dyess was initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Roi-Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Later, in 1948, he was re-interred in Westover Memorial Park Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia. [cite web |url=http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/states/pages_af/dyess_aquilla.html|accessdate=2007-01-14
title=Aquilla James Dyess
publisher=HomeofHeroes.com]

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
LIEUTENANT COLONEL AQUILLA J. DYESS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Reinforced, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, February 1, and 2, 1944. Undaunted by severe fire from automatic Japanese weapons, Lieutenant Colonel Dyess launched a powerful final attack on the second day of the assault, unhesitatingly posting himself between the opposing lines to point out objectives and avenues of approach and personally leading the advancing troops. Alert, and determined to quicken the pace of the offensive against increased enemy fire, he was constantly at the head of advance units, inspiring his men to push forward until the Japanese had been driven back to a small center of resistance and victory assured. While standing on the parapet of an antitank trench directing a group of infantry in a flanking attack against the last enemy position, Lieutenant Colonel Dyess was killed by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire. His daring and forceful leadership and his valiant fighting spirit in the face of terrific opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

Posthumous honors

In 1945, the destroyer USS "Dyess" (DD-880) was named in honor of LtCol Dyess. [cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d6/dyess.htm |accessdate=2007-01-14
title=Dyess
work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
publisher=Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy]

In October 30, 1998, the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Augusta, Georgia was dedicated to LtCol. A. James Dyess, USMCR. [cite press release
url=http://www.ussdyessdd-ddr880.com/AugustaPressRelease.html |accessdate=2007-01-14
title=Augusta Honors Local Hero
year=1998
publisher=Department of the Navy]

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

Notes

References

:Marine Corps
*cite web|url=http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Historical/Whos_Who/Dyess_AJ.htm
title= Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla James Dyess, USMCR
work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History
publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps

*cite web
url=http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa300608ba6?OpenDocument |title=Medal of Honor citation for LtCol Aquilla J. Dyess
work=Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor
publisher=United States Marine Corps

*cite book
title=A Hero Among Heroes: Jimmie Dyess and the 4th Marine Division
author=Smith, Perry
year=1998
publisher=Marine Corps Association
id=ISBN 0940328232