Born: January 11, 1909
Died: February 2, 1944
Campaigns Served: Namur (killed)
Highest Rank Attained: Lieutenant Colonel
Decorations: Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Aquilla Dyess, known to his Marines as "Jimmie" or "Red," was born in the tiny town of Andersonville, Georgia, in 1909. From an early age, he showed great heroism - he saved two swimmers off the South Carolina coast in 1928, and was awarded the Carnegie Medal the following year.
Dyess attended Clemson College, earning a BS in architecture in 1932. He participated in the school's Reserve Officer Training Corps, attaining the rank of Cadet Major. He held a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Army Infantry Reserve; as a civilian he worked as a contractor.
Aquilla Dyess was appointed as a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1936. He was posted to the 19th Battalion at the Joseph R. Lamar School in Augusta, Georgia, and served as the battalion Adjutant. He won a Bronze Star for his prowess as a member of the USMCR Rifle Team in 1937, repeating the feat in 1938.
Dyess reenlisted in March, 1939. His years of service resulted in a promotion to Captain, and command of Company A of the 19th Battalion. In 1940, he was assigned to active duty.
Lt. Col. Dyess in 1943.
By 1943, Dyess was a lieutenant colonel leading First Battalion of the 24th Marines. His experience was noted and appreciated by the younger and less experienced officers under his command.
Lt. Col. Dyess is also a good man. The men call him “Big Red,” both respect and fear him. He rules with an iron hand, though he is human in individual cases.
- Phil Wood letter dated September 27, 1943
Aquilla Dyess observed his thirty fifth birthday amid a flurry of organization for his battalion's first foray into combat. It would be his first time under fire, as well, and even as redoubtable a figure as a Lieutenant Colonel of the Marines has worries when confronting the unknown. Dyess was apparently also visited by a premonition, and sought out one of his company commanders - Captain Irving Schechter of Able Company.
...one day when we were aboard the transports, Colonel Dyess asked to see me in private. We went over to the fantail and he put a hand on my shoulder.
"Buck," he said, "I know you're a lawyer. I also know I'm going to be killed on this operation. I want you to help me make out my will."
"Oh come on, Colonel," I answered, "I'll be glad to help on your will. My fee will be your picking up the check when we have dinner after the war back in the States. You're not going to get killed."
"Thank you, Buck, but I just feel in my bones that I am going to get killed."
- Irving Schechter, quoted in Henry Berry's "Semper Fi, Mac"
Dyess went ashore with his men, and proved to be a lion in combat. On the second day of the operation, he organized a column of tanks to support his attacking infantry - and led them to the front line personally.
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.
- Phil Wood letter, dated April 2, 1944
As Able Company halted at the edge of an anti-tank ditch, preparing to mount their final assault, "Red" Dyess' premonition came true. Two members of Able Company were nearby when he was hit.
He came up with his red bandanna around his neck, stopped to talk to his runner, then went around a bend and we heard the machine gun that killed him.
- George Smith, Able Company machine gunner
Col. Dyess was killed halfway up [the trench] 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.
- Phil Wood letter, dated April 2, 1944
For his bravery in leading the attack, Dyess received a posthumous Medal of Honor - becoming the only individual in history to receive both the Medal of Honor and Carnegie Medal.
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 the 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 of 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.
Aquilla Dyess was the highest-ranking officer killed during the battle of Namur. Initially buried in the Division cemetery on Roi, he was returned to his native Georgia in 1948. Today, he rests in Westover Memorial Park Cemetery, Augusta.
Photo by Bill Waters, FindAGrave.com volunteer.