One of the greatest Greek-American heroes, World War I Medal of Honor winner George Dilboy (Georgios Dilvois) was honored again with an endowment fund to mark his 125th birthday on Feb. 5..
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Somerville, Massachusetts, which borders Boston, said it’s raising an initial $250,000 investment to seed the fund, The Somerville Times reported.
It will fund an annual scholarship for a Somerville High School graduating senior, and a Dilboy Medal of Honor awards ceremony recognizing Greek-Americans who made extraordinary charitable and philanthropic contributions to humanity.
“George Dilboy is a beloved son of both Somerville and the Greek community,” said Diane Karavitis, President of the Dormition Parish Council. “Dormition Church sees the opportunity to celebrate Dilboy’s memory in a way that is prestigious and everlasting.”
General John Pershing listed Dilboy as "one of the ten great heroes" who "died in the battlefield of France with super-human heroism and valor,” killed after leading an attack on a machine gun position, still firing away.
Dilboy Field and Dilboy Stadium were named after him, as was Somerville's Dilboy VFW Post #529.