James “Jimmie” Dyess: Profile of a War Hero

October 7, 2026

Introducing Jimmie Dyess: A Hometown Hero

World War II was a time which showed the world the worst side of humanity. Genocide, war crimes, discrimination and death on a scale never before seen all occurred during this world-wide conflict. But amongst such horror another side of humanity emerged, the hero. Men, women and children all proved they were capable of indescribable feats of courage and strength in the name of doing what is right. Amidst all of the suffering, these people allowed the world to maintain its faith in humanity.

One such hero emerged from a tiny town in south Georgia. He achieved a level of heroism never seen before or since when he became the first and only American to be awarded both the Carnegie Medal for Civilian Heroism and the Medal of Honor. The story of how he achieved such a remarkable fate can be found below.

Looking for more? Check out WWII Sites in the U.S.: The Ultimate Guide.

Aquilla James “Jimmie” Dyess was born in Andersonville, GA in 1909. He moved to Augusta, GA with his family when he was a young boy. He was actively involved in his local community and a proud member of the Boy Scouts, eventually rising to the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

After graduating high school, Jimmie Dyess attended college at Clemson University where he was a member of the football team as well as the ROTC. After college, Dyess served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. He transferred to the Marine Corps Reserves in 1936 before finally joining the active-duty Marine Corps in 1940.

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The Carnegie Medal For Civilian Heroism

Created in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Medal for Civilian Heroism is the nation’s highest honor for civilians. The medal is awarded to an individual who “risks death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.”

Long before his military service and heroic actions in WWII, Jimmie Dyess proved his courage and selflessness in the face of danger as an everyday civilian. On July 13, 1928, Dyess was vacationing with his family at the beach near Charleston, SC. As a storm moved in over the beach, Dyess noticed a group of people gathered along the edge of the ocean, frantically looking out to sea. As he approached the group, he learned that a woman had been swept out to sea during her effort to rescue another woman caught in the surf. Both women found themselves unable to reach the shore as they struggled against the rough waves.

With little regard for his own safety, Dyess immediately leapt into action. Despite the fact that he was not a particularly strong swimmer, he entered the heavy surf and made his way towards the two women as quickly as he could. After swimming 200 yards through tumultuous currents, Dyes reached the women and was able to carry them safely back to the shore. He stayed after his daring rescue in order to administer resuscitation to the women.

For his actions on the beach that day, Dyess was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Civilian Heroism. It was the first of two rare and honorific awards he would receive as a result of his quick-thinking and courageous actions.

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor was established in 1861 as the highest military decoration in the United States. It is to be awarded to individuals in any branch of service for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” Throughout the course of the Second World War 474 Medals of Honor were awarded. They were awarded to Americans who served across every military branch and in every theater of operation. Roughly half of these medals were awarded posthumously after its recipient was killed in the line of duty.

By 1944, Jimmie Dyess had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was the commander of the 1st Battalion 24th Marines. In early February, Dyess was serving in the Marshall Islands campaign on the Kwajalein Atoll. It was on this small island in the central Pacific that Jimmie Dyess would complete his final heroic act.

During the final days of the Battle of Kwajalein, Dyess and his battalion found themselves facing down the last Japanese holdout on the island of Roi-Namur. Desperate to wipe out the last enemy without sacrificing the safety of his men, Dyess chose to position himself at the front of the attack in order to ensure his troops could follow him through the safest and most efficient path of attack. His plan proved successful and the 1st Battalion was able to take out the Japanese strong hold. However, as the fighting reached its end and the Japanese were all but eliminated, Dyess was struck in the head by enemy machine gun fire. He was killed instantly. Jimmie Dyess was 35 years old.

For his efforts in the battle, James “Jimmie” Dyess was awarded the Medal of Honor. A portion of his citation is quoted below.

"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... 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.”

Dyess was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in combat and insistence on leading his troops from the front. His medal was presented to his widow and 8-year-old daughter back home in Augusta, GA.

Remembering "Jimmie" Dyess in Augusta, GA

The city of Augusta, GA is, understandably, very proud of their heroic native son. Jimmie Dyess is honored throughout the city both in its museum as well as through naming dedications around the area. A journey around Augusta allows visitors to gain a better appreciation of the impact Dyess left on his hometown. It also provides an excellent example of a city which chooses to publicly and proudly honor the legacy of one of World War II’s greatest heroes.

If you are paying a visit to Augusta, consider honoring Jimmie Dyess by visiting one or more of the sites in the city which help preserve his memory.

Augusta Museum of History

The Augusta Museum of History was founded in 1937 to honor the history of the city of Augusta as well as its surrounding area. It is a well-presented museum with excellent exhibits covering a wide variety of topics central to the area’s history. Some of the permanent exhibits include the founding of Augusta, the life of James Brown and other locals including Brenda Lee and Hulk Hogan and the history of golf in the city (Augusta is home to the Masters tournament). The museum also features rotating special exhibits as well as special events throughout the year.

Of course, one of the most prominent exhibits in the Augusta Museum of History is titled One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage. This exhibit honors the life and legacy of James “Jimmie” Dyess. The exhibit includes the two prestigious medals won by Dyess, the Carnegie Medal and Medal of Honor, pictures and stories of his life as well as information on the U.S. destroyer which was named in his honor. The museum does a fantastic job of bringing the story of this American hero to life.

If you are traveling through Georgia, consider a stop in Savannah, a designated WWII Heritage City. Find out more here.

Westover Memorial Park

The Westover Memorial Park was established in 1912. This 83-acre memorial park is the final resting place of several prominent names in Augusta’s history including professional athletes and politicians. Its pristinely manicured grounds offer a peaceful place to pay your respects to these locals as well as a certain American hero.

After he was killed by enemy fire, Dyess was originally laid to rest in the 4th Marine Division cemetery in the Marshall Islands. As was often the case, his family wished to bring him back home following the end of the war and he was reinterred in Westover Memorial Park in 1948. His remains are housed in the cemetery’s crypt.

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Dyess Park

This family-friendly city park was dedicated to Jimmie Dyess in 1979. It features baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, picnic tables and walking trails. It is the perfect place to spend an afternoon while visiting Augusta, particularly with kids. While you are enjoying the park, be sure to pay a visit to the historical marker positioned near the front. This plaque explains why the park was dedicated to Dyess as well as a little information about the man.

Honoring a Hero's Legacy: Why it Matters

In the years since his death, several honors have been bestowed upon Jimmie Dyess in addition to the Carnegie Medal and the Medal of Honor. In 1945, a United States destroyer was launched bearing the name the USS Dyess. Additionally, the Boy Scouts of America honor him at Jimmie Dyess Days held at Fort Gordon near Augusta. There are several other spots in and around Augusta which bear the name Dyess in his honor including a section of Interstate 20 which has been renamed the Jimmie Dyess Parkway.

There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Jimmie Dyess was a heroic individual who gave his life so that we can enjoy freedom today. But with us sitting today decades removed from the end of the war, it can be easy to ponder, why does it matter? Do the actions of a man who lived and died so long ago still affect us today?

The answer to these questions brings me back to why I started this blog in the first place. The great heroes of WWII are all but gone, with the last remaining veterans of the war approaching their 100th birthdays. If we do not continue to tell the story of these heroes, their memories will be lost to time. Jimmie Dyess is one example of an ordinary man who stood up during an extraordinary time and vowed to make a difference. Let us never forget that the park named after a long lost veteran or a memorial parkway bearing the name of a felled soldier represent real people who performed real acts of bravery. Never let the names of great heroes such as Jimmie Dyess leave our collective memories. They deserve so much more than that.