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Photo # NH 105925:  Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess, USMCR

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Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess, USMCR, (1909-1944)

Aquilla James Dyess was born on 11 January 1909 in Augusta, Georgia. He attended Clemson College, Clemson, South Carolina, where he joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps. In 1931, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry Reserve. After graduation in 1932, he also worked as a general contractor and as an assistant director for a boy's summer camp. In November 1936, Dyess was appointed a First Lieutenant from Georgia in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. While in the reserve, he served on the Marine Corps Rifle Team and received numerous awards for his markmanship. In November 1940, he was assigned to active duty.

During World War II, Dyess was a Lieutenant Colonel and the Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Reinforced, Fourth Marine Division. On 1-2 February 1944, he participated in battle against the Japanese at Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. With the final assault on the second day, he bravely positioned himself between the opposing lines to direct his troops. Admist severe weapons fire, he quickened the advance and ensured victory in the battle. While directing his men at an exposed point, he was mortally wounded by enemy machine gun fire. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Aquilla J. Dyess is buried at Westover Memorial Park, Augusta, Georgia.

USS Dyess (DD-880), 1944-1981, was named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess.

This page features the only image we have concerning Aquilla J. Dyess.


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Photo #: NH 105925

Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess, USMCR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 177.
Aquilla J. Dyess was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Twenty Fourth Marines, Reinforced, Fourth Marine Division during the assault against Japanese forces on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1-2 February 1944. In the face of heavy Japanese automatic weapons fire, Dyess positioned himself in front of the Marine lines to better identify enemy positions and lead his men against them. He was killed by enemy machine gun fire while directing his troops' assault on the last Japanese position.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 56KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla J. Dyess, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 177):

"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, 1 and 2 February 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 resistence and victory assured. While standing on the parapet of an anti-tank 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 terriffic opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."


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Page made 4 July 2008