A silent question hangs in the air around the George Dilboy Bust. Who was this man? Why does Athens honor him?
The George Dilboy Bust commemorates a Greek-American hero. George Dilboy’s story is one of courage and sacrifice. It bridges continents and embodies the immigrant experience.
Born Georgios Dilvois in Alatsata near Smyrna, in modern-day Turkey, on February 5, 1896, Dilboy immigrated to the U.S. He settled in Somerville, Massachusetts, in 1908. But his connection to Greece remained strong.
In 1912, he returned to fight for Greece in the Balkan Wars. He served in the Hellenic Army with distinction. After his service, Dilboy went back to Somerville. He then volunteered for the U.S. Army. He served in the Mexican Border War in 1916.
World War I beckoned. Dilboy re-enlisted. He became part of the 26th “Yankee” Division. They arrived in France in 1917.
On July 18, 1918, during the Aisne-Marne counteroffensive, Dilboy’s company faced a daunting mission. They had to control the Bouresches railroad station. Enemy machine-gun fire threatened his platoon’s advance.
Private First Class Dilboy, without hesitation, charged the enemy gun. From a standing position, fully exposed, he opened fire. When that didn’t work, he rushed forward with his bayonet. He braved a wheat field toward the emplacement.
He fell within 25 yards of the gun. His right leg was nearly severed. Bullets riddled his body. Yet, his courage remained unbroken. From a prone position, he continued to fire. He killed two of the enemy. He dispersed the rest of the crew.
George Dilboy died that day at just 22 years old. His actions earned him the Medal of Honor. He was the first Greek-American to receive this honor. General John J. Pershing called him one of the ten greatest heroes of the war.
Initially, Dilboy was buried in France. Later, his body was moved to his birthplace. A grand funeral took place in Alatsata. But tragedy struck again. Turkish soldiers desecrated his grave during the Greco-Turkish War.
President Warren G. Harding intervened. He sent a warship to recover Dilboy’s remains. A formal apology was demanded and received from the Turkish government. In 1923, Dilboy was finally laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
This George Dilboy Bust reminds us of his bravery. It connects Athens to a story of sacrifice. Dilboy’s legacy lives on in the U.S. and Greece. He is a symbol of courage. He is also a symbol of the enduring bonds between nations.