A Silver Star Group to Brigadier General John Robert Dyas Sr., United States Air Force

United States; Silver Star (two-piece construction, silver star placed upon a bronze gilt star-shaped base, engraved "JOHN R. DYAS" on the reverse, 34.7 mm x 35.8 mm, original ribbon with brooch pinback, accompanied by its 10 mm x 36 mm ribbon bar with pinback and its 3.5 mm x 17 mm enameled ribbon bar with button hole attachment, in their in their hardshelled case of issue, marked "SILVER STAR" on the lid); and Air Medal (bronze gilt, engraved "MAJOR JOHN R. DYAS A.C." on the reverse, 42.2 mm, original ribbon with brooch pinback, accompanied by its 10.5 mm x 36 mm ribbon bar and 3.7 mm x 17 mm enameled ribbon bar with button hole attachment, in their hardshelled case of issue, marked "AR MEDAL" on the lid). Light contact and gilt wear evident on both awards, near extremely fine.

Footnote: John Robert Dyas was born on February 4, 1917 in Mobile, Alabama. He graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile and attended Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama, from 1935 to 1939, majoring in aeronautical engineering and aeronautical administration. Dyas entered aviation cadet training in 1940 and received his flight training at Randolph and Kelly Fields in Texas, receiving his pilot wings and commission as a Second Lieutenant in July 1941. His Second World War service included duty in the North African and European Theater of Operations as a Tactical Squadron Commander. Later assignments included positions as Tactical Group and Wing Commander, and Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Third Tactical Air Division. During this period, Major Dyas, United States Army Air Forces was awarded the Silver Star, by General Orders of Headquarters, 12th Air Support Command, on April 24, 1943, for actions taken during the Second World War, while Commanding the 154th Observation Squadron during the Tunisian Campaign, from November 1942 to January 1943, his citation reading: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major John Robert Dyas (AFSN: FR-4968), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while Commanding the 154th Observation Squadron during the Tunisian Campaign from November 1942 to January 1943. Major Dyas has displayed exceptional ability and skill in the direction and leadership of his squadron. Through the personal leadership of Major Dyas, his combat skill, his intuitive foresight and clear thinking has enabled his squadron to inflict heavy losses on the enemy under the most adverse combat conditions. His actions reflect great credit both upon himself and the military service. It is certain that such deeds serve as an example of courage and heroism to all members of our Armed Forces." After serving in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War, John Dyas transferred to the United States Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. From 1948 to 1950, General Dyas was adviser to the Peruvian Air Force. Over the next thirteen years, he held five other command and staff positions, including: Commander, 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, from February 1951 to July 1954; Deputy Commander, 19th Air Force, from August 1955 to July 1957; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, 4th Allied Tactical Air Force in Europe, from July 1957 to November 1959; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, at Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, from November 1959 to July 1961; and Deputy Director of Military Personnel, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters United States Air Force, from August 1961 to July 1963. His next posting was to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, to command the United States Air Force Military Personnel Center. In July 1965, the center was changed to the Office of the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel for Military Personnel, with Dyas serving as Deputy Assistant. In July 1966, he was named Vice Commander of the Seventeenth Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He became Commander, Task Force Alpha, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in January 1969. He returned to the United States in July 1969 and assumed duties as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where he directed and coordinated activities of the Air Training Headquarters Staff. Colonel John Robert Dyas (AFSN: FR-4968), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for actions taken during the Cold War, "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Dyas and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force." He was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Legion of Merit for actions taken during the Vietnam War, between August 1, 1961 to July 3, 1963, his citation reading: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel John Robert Dyas (AFSN: FR-4968), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Deputy Director, Directorate of Military Personnel, Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel, Headquarters, United States Air Force from 1 August 1961 to 3 July 1963. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, knowledge and leadership demonstrated by Colonel Dyas contributed immeasurably in solving major problem areas in the administration of military personnel. The singularly distinctive accomplishments and selfless devotion to duty of Colonel Dyas reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force." Now a Brigadier General, Dyas was also awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, again for actions taken during the Vietnam War, between July 4, 1963 to June 30, 1966, his citation reading: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General John Robert Dyas (AFSN: FR-4968), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, United States Air Force Military Personnel Center, and later as Deputy Assistant, Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel for Military Personnel, Headquarters, United States Air Force, from 4 July 1963 to 30 June 1966. During this period, General Dyas' outstanding professional knowledge, dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the successful establishment of the United States Air Force Military Personnel Center in furtherance of Air Force personnel objectives throughout the world. Through his untiring efforts, superior initiative, and outstanding management, General Dyas contributed immeasurably to the development and operation of the world's largest and most successful personnel data system. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Dyas and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force." Upon his retirement in 1971, Brigadier General John Robert Dyas, Chief of Staff, Air Training Command, United States Air Force was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for actions taken during the Vietnam War, between June 30, 1969 and July 31, 1971, his citation reading: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General John Robert Dyas (AFSN: FR-4968), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Dyas distinguished himself as Chief of Staff, Air Training Command, from 30 June 1969 to 31 July 1971. In this important assignment, the dynamic leadership, professional knowledge, and dedicated efforts of General Dyas were significantly demonstrated in the successful planning and execution of many important training programs and accomplishments having national and international significance. He displayed acute perception and diplomacy in politically sensitive associations with key military officials of allied foreign governments. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Dyas culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force." In addition to the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with twoBronze Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, his decorations included the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon. He was married to Henrietta "Henri" Dyas (born December 23, 1918) and the couple had two children, a daughter, Joanna Dyas (born March 29, 1947) and a son, John Robert "Shatz" Dyas, Jr. (born November 25, 1950). John Robert Dyas died of February 4, 2004, on his eighty-seventh birthday. He was predeceased by his son, John Robert "Shatz" Dyas, Jr., who died on June 23, 1975, at the age of 24. John Robert Dyas' wife, Henrietta "Henri" Dyas, died on September 6, 2007, at the age of 88. All three are buried together in Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama. His daughter, Joanna Dyas Smith, died on July 25, 2006, at the age of 59, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer and is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, Plot: Section 42 Site 1400.(C:197)