by Pa Rock
Veteran
It was on the Fourth of July, 2012, that I made my final visit to Peace Park, a beautiful seaside memorial covering the southern tip of Okinawa. The park and its resident war museum have been established by the Japanese government to pay homage to the thousands of individuals on both sides who gave their lives in the very, very bloody Battle of Okinawa. While I was there I carefully took pictures of every granite panel of a wall containing the names of over 11,000 Americans who died during the battle. My intent is to one day develop a web site with an alphabetical listing of all of those names - so that genealogists and researchers may have access to that roster of war heroes.
Today, in honor of Veteran's Day, I have selected one name at random from the wall of casualties on Okinawa. That individual is Romeo Dye, a private in the United States Marine Corps. The only information about him on the wall is the lad's name: "Dye, Romeo". I have managed to piece together a bit of his family and military history from internet sources.
Private Romeo Napoleon Dye (Service Number: 543919) was born in Walton, West Virginia, on November 4, 1926. He was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines at the time was killed in action on Okinawa on June 21, 1945, at the age of eighteen. Private Dye posthumously was awarded the Purple Heart, Asiato-Pacific Campaign Medal, Victory Medal WWII, and the Presidential Unit Citation with Ribbon Bar and one Star.
Romeo Dye grew up in the unincorporated community of Left Hand, West Virginia, which is located in Roane County. He was the son of Romeo Napoleon Dye, Sr, and Olive Eveline (Elliott) Dye. He had two brothers, Ross and William.
The sacrifice of Romeo Dye, forfeiting his life in the war effort so that those back home could live out their natural lives in freedom, is a gift whose worth is beyond measure. May he somehow know on this Veteran's Day that he is remembered and honored for his selfless service to a grateful nation.
Veteran
It was on the Fourth of July, 2012, that I made my final visit to Peace Park, a beautiful seaside memorial covering the southern tip of Okinawa. The park and its resident war museum have been established by the Japanese government to pay homage to the thousands of individuals on both sides who gave their lives in the very, very bloody Battle of Okinawa. While I was there I carefully took pictures of every granite panel of a wall containing the names of over 11,000 Americans who died during the battle. My intent is to one day develop a web site with an alphabetical listing of all of those names - so that genealogists and researchers may have access to that roster of war heroes.
Today, in honor of Veteran's Day, I have selected one name at random from the wall of casualties on Okinawa. That individual is Romeo Dye, a private in the United States Marine Corps. The only information about him on the wall is the lad's name: "Dye, Romeo". I have managed to piece together a bit of his family and military history from internet sources.
Private Romeo Napoleon Dye (Service Number: 543919) was born in Walton, West Virginia, on November 4, 1926. He was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines at the time was killed in action on Okinawa on June 21, 1945, at the age of eighteen. Private Dye posthumously was awarded the Purple Heart, Asiato-Pacific Campaign Medal, Victory Medal WWII, and the Presidential Unit Citation with Ribbon Bar and one Star.
Romeo Dye grew up in the unincorporated community of Left Hand, West Virginia, which is located in Roane County. He was the son of Romeo Napoleon Dye, Sr, and Olive Eveline (Elliott) Dye. He had two brothers, Ross and William.
The sacrifice of Romeo Dye, forfeiting his life in the war effort so that those back home could live out their natural lives in freedom, is a gift whose worth is beyond measure. May he somehow know on this Veteran's Day that he is remembered and honored for his selfless service to a grateful nation.
2 comments:
Hi Pa Rocks! I'm Jamie Shirk. I've come across your blog during my search for information on PVT. Romeo Dye, USMC. I have taken upon myself to always have a flag and flowers on the grave of Romeo. I walk my 2 little dogs there daily, and since I've located his headstone, I was so moved on how young he was when he lost his life in Okinawa 1945. I have 17 graves of young men that died during WWII that I take care of. I started this because I'm a Veteran myself, and it was breaking my heart that these men never had any flowers or flags on their markers.
Anywho, long story here, lol. I just wanted to tell you that I have pictures and more information on Pvt. Dye if you like to see it. Just let me know! I don't have a google email but my email addy is nolasaintsfan@msn.com
Jamie Shirk,
I would love to correspond with you regarding Pvt. Romeo Dye, USMC. I have sent two emails to the address listed in your comment, but they have been bounced back. Please contact me at: pa.rock.macy@gmail.com
I have a great deal of respect for the work you are doing in decorating and tending those World War II graves. You are an inspiration to us all!
And yes, I would love to see pictures and learn more about Romeo Dye.
Thank you for remembering him and the others who laid down their lives so that we could stand in freedom.
All the best.
Rocky Macy
West Plains, MO
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