The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Philippine Islands, from 4 April to 9 July 1943. After eleven months as a Prisoner of War, and in weakened physical condition, Major Dyess outwitted the Japanese guards on 4 April 1943, escaped from a prison camp, eluding pursuing patrols, and made his way on foot and by small boat from the vicinity of Davao to northern Mindanao. Hearing of a United States force in Misamis Occidental he contrived to reach its headquarters on foot and by launch. Arrangements for his evacuation having been made, he continued on foot through enemy-occupied territory. By using mountain trails, he avoided capture by numerous Japanese patrols and arrived at the rendezvous. Major Dyess’ courage in the face of great danger and his fortitude despite his physical weakness enabled him to escape and to rejoin the United States forces with information of great military value.
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Awards Received
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Soldier’s Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Division:
Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)Action Date:
April 9, 1942 – 1943
Major (Air Corps) William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, was captured in the Philippine Islands on 9 April 1942, and was interned as a Prisoner of War by the Japanese until his successful escape from captivity in 1943.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in World War II.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
21st Pursuit SquadronRegiment:
24th Pursuit GroupDivision:
Far East Air ForceAction Date:
March 2, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 39 (1942)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 21st Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission against enemy Japanese surface vessels on 2 March 1942, over Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. On this date Captain Dyess hung a 500-pound bomb with a jury-rigged bomb release on a P-40 and, with three other pilots, bombed and strafed Japanese shipping in Subic Bay. Three times that day he braved heavy flak, destroying or damaging several small vessels, warehouses, and supply dumps. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Dyess on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in World War II.
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Action Date:
December 22, 1943
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 11, (February 7, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, at Burbank, California, on 22 December 1943, by crash landing his airplane in a small vacant lot in order to avoid hitting civilians traveling on a broad road where a comparatively save landing could have been made. This act of self-sacrifice resulted in the death of Colonel Dyess.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Captain]Batallion:
21st Pursuit SquadronDivision:
Far East Air ForcesAction Date:
February 7, 1942
War Department, General Orders No. 85 (August 9, 1946)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Captain] William Edwin Dyess (ASN: 0-22526), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with , 21st Pursuit Squadron, Far East Air Forces, on 7 February 1942, at Quinauan Point, Bataan, Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Colonel Dyess performed heroic action against the enemy. He voluntarily helped organize and lead an assault party against several enemy caves on a rocky cliff on the beach. Under close-range enemy rifle and machine-gun fire, attacking the positions from landing boats, Colonel Dyess displayed qualities of personal courage and leadership which were major factors in the success of the mission. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Dyess, 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 Army Air Forces.