Dyer, Martin Russell Jr.

Date of birth:: June 14th, 1923 (Jacksonville/Illinois, United States)
Date of death:: June 30th, 1944 (Saipan, Marianas Islands)
Buried on:: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Plot: C. Grave: 815.
Service number:: 366654 USMC
Nationality:: American

Biography

Martin R. Dyer Jr., lived on Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri across the street from Wilkinson Grade School. He attended Southwest High School January 1942 class.
He died, as a corporal in the Marine Corps, on Saipan, June 30th, 1944, when he ran to draw fire from an enemy machine gun so his unit could locate the source of deadly machine gun fire. He was killed in exposing the machine gun.

Featured on 37 pages in the 2020 book "40 Thieves on Saipan" among the 40 member Marine Sniper/Scout Platoon of elite Marines and forerunner of Navy Seals and Ranger units of today.

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Corporal
Unit:: Scout & Sniper Platoon, HQ, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division "The Silent Second", U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded on:: January 5th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism as Squad Leader in the Scout and Sniper Platoon serving with the Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, on 1 July 1944. Dispatched to capture a well-concealed, strongly entrenched pocket of enemy resistance after two previous assaults against the emplacement had drawn heavy enemy fire but failed to disclose its location, Corporal Dyer instructed his squad to observe the origin of the fire then, fearlessly exposing himself to the withering barrage, boldly led his men forward in a third assault against the position. Although mortally wounded during the fierce engagement, Corporal Dyer, by his daring initiative, exceptional fortitude and indomitable fighting spirit, had inspired his squad to locate the enemy and annihilate them, thereby enabling our advancing forces to continue their operations against this strategic Japanese stronghold. His steadfast determination, valiant leadership and courageous devotion to duty in the face of graver peril reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Dyer and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

General Order Serial 12681, Commander in Chief Pacific Forces (January 5, 1945).
Awarded posthumously.

Purple Heart

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Sources

- Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
- Military Times Hall of Valor
- Corp Martin Russell Dyer Jr. (1923-1944) - Find a Grave