Aquilla James Dyess

Served as First Lieutenant with Army Reserve unit in Augusta, Georgia. Entered Marine Corps Reserve on 5 December 1936; assigned to 19th Marine Reserve Battalion as battalion adjutant, later company commander. During four years of service with this battalion, Dyess advanced in rank to captain and participated in national marksmanship competitions in 1937 and 1938.

On 15 April 1941, transferred to The Training Center, Marine Barracks, Quantico, for instruction in barrage balloons. Assigned duty as executive officer, Barrage Balloon School, Parris Island in summer 1941. Duty at this post through 1942; transferred to Barrage Ballon School, New River, NC in late 1942 as commanding officer.

In spring 1943, transferred to Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, 24th Marines at New River as executive officer. Transferred to First Battalion, 24th Marines as commanding officer on 14 May 1943.

Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
MOS: 2900 (Battalion Commander)
Important Events:
February 2, 1944 – killed in action (gunshot wound, head) near last pocket of Japanese resistance.

Eyewitness accounts:

The tanks finally came up, Col. Dyess leading the way on foot – and he organized the attack – he was fearless to the point of being foolhardy, refused to take cover – even buck privates were yelling at him to get down, but he’d only wave his Tommy gun at them and say he was a lucky Irishman.

That attack broke the back of the resistance – from then on the Japs were disorganized and fleeing….  we chased the few remaining, there couldn’t have been more than 25 or 30, up the tank trap, an 8-foot trench that ran around the island just inside the beach.

Col. Dyess was killed halfway up by a machine gun that they had set up in ambush. Fired at me, I think, but I heard the click of the bolt and hit the deck, and the shots went over me.
– Philip E. Wood, Jr. (A Co)

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We lost quite a few people. The most dramatic was  our battalion commander Colonel Dyess. He was a big man. He was about six-three or four with red hair. As we’re going down, just about ready to secure the island at the beach on the far side, a sniper got him. Just *bang.* We were right along with him and they killed him right there.
– Howard M. Kerr (A Co)

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We were waiting in an anti-tank trench along the beach on the northeast corner of the island when Col. Dyess came along and talked to us for a few minutes. Just after he left, we heard a Nambu go off. Later we heard he was killed, but he wasn’t leading any men against the pillbox.
– George A. Smith (A Co)

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A Lieutenant from Purdue, All-American in football – I can’t remember his name, but we played touch football together – said, “I saw Aquilla do the most foolish thing I’d seen a white man do. He declared himself invulnerable, and they shot and killed him. One shot.”
– Joe R. Griffin (C Co) 

Awarded Medal of Honor for actions on February 2, 1944.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines (Rein), 4th 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, Lt. Col. 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 the antitank trench directing a group of infantry in a flanking attack against the last enemy position, Lt. Col. 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Campaign Narrative