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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
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.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
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 |
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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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