Albany in Shackelford County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Lieutenant Colonel William Edwin Dyess
Defender of Bataan
Photographed By Duane Hall, March 23, 2016
1. Lieutenant Colonel William Edwin Dyess Marker
(Center Panel)
John Tarleton College
May 18, 1936
Graduated
Advanced Flying School
Kelly Field
October 6, 1937
“I want you to know I love every one of you”
Last words spoked to Albany friends 11-5-43
(Left Panel)
Lt. Col. Dyess was on duty Dec. 7, 1941 in the Philippine Islands as squadron commander of the 21st Pursuit Squadron, which later received Presidential Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He distinguished himself by destroying 40,000 tons of shipping in Subic Bay. He converted remnants of Air Corps personnel into ground infantry and led them in victorious Battle of Agoloma Bay, destroying six hundred Japanese. He refused to leave his men at the Fall of Bataan.
(Right Panel)
After being held prisoner by the Japanese for 361 days he escaped and fought with guerrillas in the Philippine Islands, returning to the United States for active duty in August, 1943. Holder of Distinguished Service Cross, Oak Leaf Cluster : Legion of Merit in Degree of Officer and the Silver Star. Soldiers Medal awarded posthumously for sacrifice of life in airplane crash, Glendale, California, December 22, 1943.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
this page online
Location. 32° 44.292′ N, 99° 17.359′ W. Marker is in Albany, Texas, in Shackelford County. Marker can be reached from Cemetery Road (Williams Street), 0.2 miles Power Street when traveling north. Marker is located in the southwest corner of Albany Cemetery at the grave site of William E. Dyess. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albany TX 76430, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lt. Col. William E. Dyess (here, next to this marker); First United Methodist Church of Albany (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of the Reynolds Presbyterian Academy (approx. 0.8 miles away); Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fort Griffin Fandangle (approx. 0.9 miles away); Albany's First Public School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Texas Central Railway Company (approx. one mile away); Ledbetter Picket House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.
Also see . . . William Dyess - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 17, 2016.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, March 23, 2016
2. Marker at Grave Site of William E. Dyess
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
