A Hero Among Heroes: Jimmie Dyess and the 4th Marine Division

by Perry M. Smith

There is only one person who has earned America's two highest awards for heroism, the Medal of Honor and the Carnegie Medal. His name was Jimmie Dyess. His homes were Augusta, Georgia, Clemson College... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0940328232
• ISBN13: 9780940328235
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Marine Corps Association
• Length: 243 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Anatomy of a Hero

Hero is a term used all too casually in our contemporary American society. Sports figures, entertainers, and political leaders are often referred to as 'heroes,' in the popular media. However, the title of 'hero' is earned only by an exceptional display of courage and often is accompanied by great personal sacrifice. Perry Smith delivers a powerful story of why Jimmie Dyess should be remembered as "A Hero Among Heroes." As Samuel Johnson wrote, "It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives." "A Hero Among Heroes," is the story of how Jimmie Dyess lived and what led this man to accomplish such extraordinary feats of heroism.Perry Smith dissects the life of his father-in-law to deliver an insightful chronical of the life of an exceptional man. What compelled Jimmie Dyess to risk his life, again and again, first as a college student and then later as a U.S. Marine?No one could definitively answer that question, but Perry Smith allows us to look deeply into the life of Dyess and provides us with ample clues as to why he behaved so heroically. The qualities he developed in the crucible of the Great Depression growing up in Augusta, Georgia, and the leadership skills he was to hone in military service almost seem to have compelled Dyess to exhibit exceptional gallantry.Perry Smith vividly tells the story of why Jimmie Dyess was a true hero; a man whose deeds are worthy of being honored and more importantly, being remembered.

An uplifting story of one of America's greatest heroes.

Sadly, America today seems completely bereft of heroes. Perry Smith has undertaken a labor of love to bring to the public eye the story of his father-in-law, Jimmie Dyess, a man he never met. Written primarily for his mother-in-law and his wife, Smith tells the story of a true hero, the only person ever to win both the Carnegie Medal and the Congressional Medal of Honor. Clearly, Jimmie Dyess was a man of honor, courage, and conviction. In telling the Dyess story, Smith also provides background and history of Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegia Medal. This medal is only awarded to "one, who at the risk of his own life, saves or attempts to save the life of a fellow man. There must be conclusive evidence that the person perfoming the act voluntarily risked his own life to an extraordinary degree in saving or attempting to save the life of another person, or voluntarily scarificed himself in a heroic manner for the benefit of others. The act of rescue must be one in which no direct family relationship or other full measure of responsibility exists between the rescuer and the recued. The act must have been performed in the United States, Canada or the waters thereof and must be brought to the attention of the Commission within two years of the date of the rescue."Dyess received the Carnegie Medal in 1929 for saving two women on July 13, 1928, who would have surely drowned in the Atlantic ocean. Sixteen years after saving those two women, Dyess's widow, Connor Cleckley Dyess, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for the heroic actions of her husband for his actions in leading fellow Marines in combat in February 1944 during the Roi Namur campaign against well-trained, entrenched Japanese forces.By telling the Dyess story, Smith also weaves the history of the times. The Depression Years are described, as well as the history of the Marine Corps. Moreover, he also provides a perspective and comparison of the two awards for heroism. The historical value of the book alone is worth the cost of the book.Should all Americans, both young and old, read this book? Absolutely! It describes the deep-seated values of a man who epitomized courage in the face of danger, honesty, integrity, and natural leadership. Parents would do well to have their children emulate the personal and professional characteristics of Jimmie Dyess. He is a true American hero!

Where Do We Find Such Men?

Winston Churchill said, "A nation that does not remember its heroes, will soon have no heroes to remember." This well-written and fast reading book pays tribute to one such hero. In a place and time where heroes were many, this man, this Marine's Marine, rises to the top. I would like to have met Jimmie Dyess. Thank you, General Smith, for introducing him to us.

This book offers us a portrait of of a true hero.

There is never an easy time to be a hero, but in the twentieth century heroes seem to have become the most endangered of all species. Writer Perry Smith offers us a vivid portrait of Jimmie Dyess, a very ordinary boy who reached down inside of himself to accomplish the extraordinary. His story serves as a good model for all of us. In the midst of so many horrible stories in the daily newspapers and on television, we need to be reminded that this century produced a hero like Jimmie Dyess who was willing to sacrfice himself to save others in times of peace as well as in times of war. We need more heores like Jimmie Dyess, and we need more writers like Perry Smith.

A wonderful role model for young Americans

This short biography of an American hero tells the story of the only person to win the medal of honor and the carnegie medal. The author also examines the altruistic personality to try to find out what motivates someone be willing to help strangers even in the face of extreme danger. A very uplifting tale.