Jimmie Dyess
From ClemsonWiki
Lieutenant Colonel Aquilla James Dyess
- During the summer break after his Freshman year, Jimmie "Red" Dyess, Clemson Class of 1931, rescued two women off the coast of Sullivan’s Island, S.C. For his heroism, Jimmie Dyess was awarded The Carnegie Medal. This medal is the highest civilian award given for heroism.
- In February, 1944, Marine Corp Lieutenant Colonel Dyess led his battalion at the battle of Roi-Namur Islands during the Marshall Islands campaign. He organized and led a small rescue force to save the four remaining Marines who had been trapped behind enemy lines. LTC Dyess was killed the very next day. Jimmie Dyess earned the Medal of Honor, not for being killed in action, but for extraordinary valor and leadership in rescuing the Marines during a combat situation.
- Jimmie "Red" Dyess is the only person to be awarded both the Carnegie Medal and the Medal of Honor.
- There is a book about the life and heroism of LTC Dyess titled “A Hero Among Heroes” by General Perry Smith, his son-in-law.
