Jesse Farley Dyer

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain Jesse Farley Dyer, United States Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914, while Commanding of a Company of Marines. Captain Dyer was in both days fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 177 (December 4, 1915)

Action Date: April 21 - 22, 1914

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Captain
US Marine Corps Brigadier General, Occupation of Veracruz Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota he was commissioned in as a 2nd lieutenant the US Marine Corps in June 1903 and reported to the Marine Barracks at Annapolis, Maryland. In March 1904, he was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was assigned to the Marine Barracks at Cavite, Philippines. The following year he reported for sea duty on board the cruiser USS Cincinnati. In 1907 he was transferred to the Marine Barracks at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington DC, later transferring to the Marine Barracks at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In December 1909 he was assigned to the Judge Advocate General's Office in Washington DC where he was promoted to the rank of captain in April 1911. In 1913, he reported to Camp Elliott, Panama Canal Zone, Panama. He participated in the Banana Wars in Central America and during the US intervention in Veracruz, Mexico he served as a company commander, leading his men against the enemy to ensure the capture of the city, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts. The following December he reported to the 1st Brigade Marine at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After returning for a 2nd tour at the Judge Advocate General's Office in Washington DC he was promoted to the rank of major in March 1917. The following month he reported to the Marine Battery in the Virgin Islands and became the Aide to the island's Governor. In 1919 he was assigned to the Marine Barracks at Quantico, Virginia, later transferring to the Marine Headquarters at Washington DC. In September 1922, he attended the Service Schools at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and a year later, he reported for duty in Haiti with the 1st Brigade Marines. In February 1924 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He returned to the US and served at the Marine Barracks at Parris Island, South Carolina. In May 1927 he was assigned to the 7th Division, 3rd Brigade Marines in China and following this tour, he became the Commandant of the Marine Barracks at the Washington Navy Yard. He then attended the Army War College at Fort McNair, Washington DC and continued his instruction at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. After graduating in August 1931 he was promoted to the rank of colonel and became the Fleet Marine Officer for the Asiatic Fleet on board the light cruiser USS Houston, then transferred to light cruiser USS Augusta. In September 1934 he returned to the Marine Barracks at Parris Island and retired in September 1937 with 34 years of continuous military service. While on the retired list he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in February 1942 by Act of Congress of March 4, 1925 (colloquially known as a "tombstone" promotion), which allowed officers in the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to be promoted one grade upon retirement if they had been specially commended for performance of duty in actual combat. He died in Corona, California at the age of 77. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914; was in both days fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage."

Bio by: William Bjornstad

Family Members
Children
Photo
Marcia Anne Dyer Fess
1920–2009
Source: findagrave April 2022

Jesse Farley Dyer
FamilySearch Family Tree
Birth: Dec 2 1877 - St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States
Death: Mar 31 1955 - Corona, Riverside, California, United States
Parents: Frank Willis Dyer, Rachel Dixon Dyer (born Gibson)
Wife: Nelle Maude Dyer (born Murphy)
Children: Louise Christy Neushul (born Dyer), Marcia Anne Fess (born Dyer)
Siblings: Harry Blair Dyer, John James Dyer