Medal of Honor: Aquilla James Dyess – U.S. Marine Corps Reserve – Namur Island – 1944

Name: Aquilla James Dyess
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Unit: Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines (Reinforced), 4th Marine Division
Place: Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
Born: 11 January 1909, Augusta, Georgia
Appointed From: Georgia

---

Summary of Action

During the assault on Namur Island in the Kwajalein Atoll, Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla James Dyess commanded the reinforced 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, in one of the most fiercely contested amphibious operations of the Central Pacific campaign.

Undeterred by intense and accurate Japanese automatic weapons fire, Lt. Col. Dyess personally launched and directed a powerful final attack on the second day of the assault. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, deliberately positioning himself between friendly and hostile lines in order to indicate objectives, routes of advance, and points of resistance.

Constantly at the head of his advancing units, he inspired his Marines to press forward against mounting resistance, driving the enemy back into a final, desperate center of resistance. As the battle neared its conclusion, Lt. Col. Dyess stood atop the parapet of an antitank trench, directing a flanking maneuver against the last Japanese position. There, fully exposed and leading by example, he was struck and killed by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire.

His fearless leadership, tactical skill, and personal valor directly contributed to the successful capture of Namur Island and embodied the highest traditions of Marine Corps command.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

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 an 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 machinegun 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.