Medal of Honor Roll Call: George Dilboy

George Dilboy is the first Greek-American awarded the Medal of Honor. Before serving in the U. S. Army in the First World War, he fought for Greek liberties in the Balkans and Ottoman Empire from 1909 to 1913. After his death, charging a machine gun nest at the Battle of Belleau Wood his request, Dilboy was buried in his hometown in Turkey. President Warren G. Harding ordered his remains removed and taken to Arlington National Cemetery after he learned a Turkish mob disrupted his resting place and scattered his bones.

Advertisement

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company H, 103d Infantry, 26th Division. Place and date: Near Belleau, France, July 18, 1918. Entered service at: Keene, N.H. Birth: Greece. G.O. No.: 13, W.D., 1919.

Citation:

After his platoon had gained its objective along a railroad embankment, Pfc. Dilboy, accompanying his platoon leader to reconnoiter the ground beyond, was suddenly fired upon by an enemy machine gun from 100 yards. From a standing position on the railroad track, fully exposed to view, he opened fire at once, but failing to silence the gun, rushed forward with his bayonet fixed, through a wheat field toward the gun emplacement, falling within 25 yards of the gun with his right leg nearly severed above the knee and with several bullet holes in his body. With undaunted courage he continued to fire into the emplacement from a prone position, killing 2 of the enemy and dispersing the rest of the crew.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member