Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church is pleased to announce the establishment of the George A. Dilboy Endowment Fund to honor George Dilboy’s 125th birthday on February 5, 2021. The Dormition community is raising an initial $250,000 investment to seed the fund, which will support the new George A. Dilboy Community Center at Dormition, an annual scholarship for a Somerville High School graduating senior, and an annual Dilboy Medal of Honor awards ceremony recognizing Greek Americans who have 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, and also to educate the public about the selfless contributions of one of the greatest Greek-American war heroes to his native and adopted countries. We hope that all Americans will be inspired by George’s courage and service.”

George A. Dilboy was born in Alatsata, Smyrna in Asia Minor in 1896. His family emigrated to the United States when he was a boy and settled in Somerville. In 1912, at the age of sixteen, he volunteered to fight for Greece in the Balkan Wars, returning to Somerville in 1913. In 1916, he enlisted in the United States Army in the Mexican Border War, and he received an honorable discharge in 1917. Shortly thereafter, he re-joined the United States Army to fight in France during World War I, and on July 18, 1918 he sacrificed his life as part of the Second Battle of the Marne. Dilboy was the first Greek-American to be recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor, receiving it posthumously for “gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.” He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church (www.dormitionchurch.org), established in 1916, is a vibrant, active parish community of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Pastored by the Rev. Fr. Anthony Tandilyan, Dormition brings together four generations of Greek Americans and other Orthodox Christians from all walks of life.

Contact: The Rev. Fr. Anthony Tandilyan, Pastor; Diane Karavitis, Parish Council President; Richard Barrett, Fundraising Chair. Email: richardbarrett@johnofdamascus.org. Website: www.dormitionchurch.org. Phone: (617) 625-2222.