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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Byron Alfred Dary (NSN: 3062778), United States Naval Reserve, for gallantry in action while attached to Platoon AL of the 6th Naval Beach Battalion at the time of the Normandy landings. The Operations Plan called for the landing of this Battalion on Fox Green Beach, Omaha Sector, Normandy France, on “D-Day”, 6 June 1944. Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary and Lieutenant, Junior Grade, F. Ramsey, (MC), USNR, Medical Officer of Platoon AL, upon arrival on Dog White Beach, voluntarily turned to immediately assisting with first aid treatment of the wounded then on Dog White Beach. Not long after their arrival, while engaged in administering first aid to a wounded soldier lying in the vicinity of a burning half-track, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ramsey was himself seriously wounded by flying fragment of metal when the vehicle exploded. The soldier to whom Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ramsey was giving aid was killed outright by this same explosion. Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary, who was in a position to observe this tragedy, without regard to his own safety, went immediately to the aid of his officer, administered first aid on the spot, dragged the officer to a nearby hole for safety, and arranged for the officer’s evacuation. After seeing that all help possible had been rendered his doctor, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary left the fox hole several times to render first aid to various other wounded men in his vicinity. Not long after the episode related above, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary was informed that an Army Colonel was lying wounded on the shore side of a nearby stone retaining wall. The only access to the stricken Colonel was through an opening in the wall which was covered by German machine gun and sniper fire. Fully aware that this situation existed and realizing fully the hazards involved, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary made three separate trips through this opening to administer first aid to the Colonel. While the Colonel died shortly after, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary gave all aid possible to the dying man under the circumstances. It should be reiterated that all these activities, covering several hours, were undertaken by Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary without orders and wholly upon his own initiative. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class

    Division:

    U.S.S. Sanborn (APA-193)

    Action Date:

    February 19, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Byron Alfred Dary (NSN: 3062778), United States Naval Reserve, for distinguished and conspicuous acts above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to the U.S.S. SANBORN (APA-193) and as a member of the “Beach Party” which was in combat with Japanese Forces during the Amphibious Landing of Marine Combat Teams in the initial attack and occupation of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. In February 1945. During the early stage of the invasion, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary exposed himself time after time to heavy enemy fire while salvaging medical supplies scattered along the beach and in the water. The Japanese were well entrenched and kept the beach under constant machine gun as well as heavy artillery and mortar shelling. Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Dary’s total disregard of his personal safety in performing services not normally expected under conditions facing the “Beach Party” resulted in the saving of much medical equipment and supplies. He continued to render valuable services leaving cover in the area then subjected to heavy bombardment by enemy mortar and artillery fire, to perform emergency treatment of wounded men. He rendered invaluable assistance in such numerous instances that a proper count could not be maintained of individual cases. He continued these individual acts of mercy until mortally wounded while attempting to give emergency treatment to a wounded comrade at arms who was lying in an exposed position. His courage and conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.