US WWII Medal of Honor Series.

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Each week I will present to you here a US Congressional MOH recipient for you to read about and to appreciate the totality of the enormous contributions that people make during extreme times.

 

 

 

 

 

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February 2, 1944

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U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

 First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Reinforced, Fourth Marine Division

Place and Date: Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands

Entered Service at: Augusta Georgia

Born: Augusta Georgia

Posthumous Honor: GearingClass DD (DD-880) USS Dyess, Named in his honor 17 August 1944

 

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

LIEUTENANT COLONEL AQUILLA J. DYESS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

  

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 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, 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 US Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country

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August 1, 1920

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US Army, Major Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr.

475th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force

 

Place and Date: Near Luzon, Philippines, January 7, 1945

Entered Service at,  Montgomery, Alabama

Born: Ridgewood, New Jersey

 

Medal of Honor Citation (G.O. No.: 24, 7 March 1946) Citation: "He fought with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity over Luzon, Philippine Islands. Voluntarily, he led a squadron of 15 P-38's as top cover for heavy bombers striking Mabalacat Airdrome, where his formation was attacked by 20 aggressive Japanese fighters. In the ensuing action he repeatedly flew to the aid of embattled comrades, driving off enemy assaults while himself under attack and at times outnumbered 3 to 1, and even after his guns jammed, continuing the fight by forcing a hostile plane into his wing man's line of fire. Before he started back to his base he had shot down 3 Zeros. The next day he again volunteered to lead escort fighters on a mission to strongly defended Clark Field. During the resultant engagement he again exposed himself to attacks so that he might rescue a crippled bomber. In rapid succession he shot down 1 aircraft, parried the attack of 4 enemy fighters, 1 of which he shot down, single-handedly engaged 3 more Japanese, destroying 1, and then shot down still another, his 38th victory in aerial combat. On 7 January 1945, while leading a voluntary fighter sweep over Los Negros Island, he risked an extremely hazardous maneuver at low altitude in an attempt to save a fellow flyer from attack, crashed, and was reported missing in action. With gallant initiative, deep and unselfish concern for the safety of others, and heroic determination to destroy the enemy at all costs, Maj. McGuire set an inspiring example in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service."

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August 10, 1889

US Navy, Rear Admiral Norman Scott

Task Force 64. Flagship - USS Atlanta CL-15

Place and Date: Near Savo Island, Guadalcanal

Entered Service at,  US Naval Academy

Born: Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Medal of Honor Citation  For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of 11-12 October and again on the night of 12-13 November 1942. In the earlier action, intercepting a Japanese Task Force intent upon storming our island positions and landing reinforcements at Guadalcanal, Rear Adm. Scott, with courageous skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, destroyed 8 hostile vessels and put the others to flight. Again challenged, a month later, by the return of a stubborn and persistent foe, he led his force into a desperate battle against tremendous odds, directing close-range operations against the invading enemy until he himself was killed in the furious bombardment by their superior firepower. On each of these occasions his dauntless initiative, inspiring leadership and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility contributed decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.