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Captain Barrett Collyer Dillow (0466686)
Photo credit - with thanks to Ben Hill at Theta Chi Fraternity
Squadron records suggest that Barrett Collyer Dillow was a key figure in the 24th Cav Recon. He is mentioned frequently in his role leading task forces, particularly during the squadron’s contribution to the sealing of the Ruhr pocket, which spelled the end for the German army.
He was also decorated several times for extraordinary bravery.
Initially a 1st Lt. he was promoted to Captain and assumed command of Troop A on July 17, in France, replacing the wounded Capt. Brooks Norman. Later he would lead reconnaissance Troop C.
On August 24 1944 reconnaissance Troop A approached the town of Corbeil, east of Paris.
On encountering an enemy road block Captain Dillow, commanding, took his M8 Greyhound armoured car around it and entered the town. His intention seems to have been to open fire on whatever forces were behind the roadblock, as a signal for the rest of his men to assault.
All hell broke loose as the Germans opened fire on Capt. Dillow's vehicle from the town square. Under a hail of fire Capt. Dillow immediately attempted to subdue the enemy using the anti-aircraft gun mounted on the car's turret.
Unsatisfied with his angles of fire from the turret Capt. Dillow jumped out and onto the deck of the Greyhound to improve his aim. The rest of Troop A raced in to join him and the enemy were driven out of the town. He was wounded by shrapnel in this action, which earned him the Silver Star medal and a Purple Heart.
He was evacuated for treatment.
This action is described in the squadron After Action report thus:
“Troop A encountered a friendly reconnaissance detachment on the outskirts of CORBEIL. This detachment reported that the enemy had prepared the bridge over the SEINE for destruction and had also constructed a roadblock in the center of town near the bridge. Lt. Dillow moved into the town to conduct a personal reconnaissance. He maneuvered around the hostile roadblock and surprised the detachment guarding it from the rear. Effective machine gun fire and 37 mm fire were brought against the enemy, driving the entire detachment occupying the town across the bridge. Lt. Dillow was wounded by shrapnel during this action.”
It is not yet known when he assumed command of Troop C.
On December 21 1944 he led a bayonet charge on a German trench system near Obermaubach. For this action Barrett C. Dillow was cited for the second highest award for extraordinary heroism, the Distinguished Service Cross. Research to find the citation continues. The wording, according to this site, is:
Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 61 (April 17, 1945)
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Cavalry) Barrett C. Dillow, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 4th Cavalry Group (Separate), FIRST U.S. Army, in action against enemy forces while defending St. Vith, Belgium, on 21 December 1944. With a reconnaissance squadron of cavalry, Captain Dillow knocked out a gun emplacement and killed or injured several of the enemy. His extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
He was then involved in the to-and-fro battle for Humain, in Belgium, which saw Troop A take the town on Christmas Eve, only to be driven out by a counter-attack from four tanks and at least 100 enemy infantry on Christmas Day. In the afternoon he took a detachment of two armoured cars to determine the strength of the enemy in the town. Reaching the centre a firefight broke out, in which he was wounded by small arms fire. He returned to nearby Aye and reported the town to be occupied by a force of three Tiger tanks and up to 300 German infantry, before being evacuated for treatment. Research on the battle for Humain is ongoing.
Barrett C. Dillow is also listed in records as wounded on July 6 1944, on the Cotentin, near Beaumont Hague, a week after the allies took Cherbourg. At that point the squadron was engaged in wide-ranging reconnaissance across the north of the peninsula, rounding up German stragglers, reporting the locations of dead, helping local officials maintain law and order and checking coastal guns and fortifications.
Barrett C. Dillow - aka ‘Dapa’ - with grandson Callum, October 2012 (Photo courtesy of grandson Barrett Dillow)
After the war Barrett C. Dillow worked in advertising, in New York, with senior executive roles on major accounts such as for international cosmetics giant Max Factor. He was married to the actress Jean Carmen (billed as Julia Thayer) circa 1949 - 1960.
Image from the Theta Chi fraternity alumni newsletter The Rattle, volume 33 - March, April, May 1945 (with thanks to Ben Hill)
Barrett Collyer Dillow is recalled by comrade Gus Blass II on the Battle of the Bulge Association website .
“One of my good friends was Captain Barrett Dillow, who commanded Company “C” of the 24th. He was one of the best, most fearless men I met during my time in the service. Wounded three times, he was awarded two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and a Distinguished Service Cross.
“As we were leaving the Ardennes Forest, Barrett was shot through the stomach. He sent for me and I arrived to see him bandaged from his hips to his armpits. “You are lucky, Barrett, because they. will send you stateside to recover. By time you’re well, the war will be over, ” I told him. He gave me a wan smile, saying, “maybe, Gus, maybe.”
A day or so later, I looked up from my armored car and there stood Dillow. He had gone AWOL (Absent Without Leave) from the hospital and rejoined us. “Barrett, what are you doing here? You had a ticket home, ” I said in astonishment. Dillow answered, “Gus, I had to come look after you. Those fellows on the other side are tough soldiers and mean! You are still green. ”
Barrett Collyer Dillow was born May 20 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. He died in 2014, aged 93.