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Brigadier General James L. Dalton II

Born in New Britain and moved to Naugatuck at a very young age with his family. Attended St. Francis of Assisi School. Graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1927.

Entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1929, graduating as a second lieutenant in 1933.  Began in the cavalry but later transferred to the infantry.

He was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese struck in 1941. Months later his outfit fought at Guadalcanal and was one of 2 units that wrested that island from the Japanese. For this he won the coveted Silver Star and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. He also saw action at New Georgia and also on New Britain Island.

He later was promoted to brigadier general in 1945.

Sadly shortly after he was promoted, he was killed by a japanese sniper's bullet at far-off Balete Pass, Luzon, in the Philippine Islands.

The day was May 16th, 1945. He was 35 years old.

He left behind his wife Kate and two young daughters.

As a 1945 newspaper article states "He was a fiery, fearless leader with a terrific will to win", "General Dalton is a brilliant strategist and tactician. He and his men were personally commended by Gen. Douglas MacArthur at San Maunel on Luzon for the outstanding feat of capturing the town despite fierce Japanese armored counterattacks."

In the photo above, Brigadier General Dalton & General MacArthur
(Photo Courtesy of the Naugatuck Historical Society)

General Douglas MacArthur, supreme commander in the Pacific said that General James 'Dusty' Dalton II was one of the best combat officers he had ever encountered in his lenghty career in the military.

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