Alex J. Dillashaw was born Dec. 24, 1923, in Cullman County and lived in Garden City. His parents were Alec Monroe and Lethia Eugenia (Woodard) Dillashaw. He would register for the draft when he was 18 years old and served in World War II.
Dillashaw was a member of the Army’s 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, also known as “The Vanguards.” The 18th Infantry experienced numerous combat operations including the Invasion of Normandy. The 18th would storm Omaha Beach as part of Operation Overlord–an operation that would last until Aug. 30, 1944, with an Allied victory.
Dillashaw was killed in action Aug. 1, 1944. He was just 20 years old. He is now buried in the Garden City Cemetery and received the Purple Heart. He is also memorialized on the World War II monument at Cullman’s Veterans Memorial Park.
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