William James “Bill” Dunmyer was born on February 14, 1912, in Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Emanuel Poling Dunmyer and Margaret Weimer Dunmyer. He was married to Eleanor Pennington Elliott. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1937. He served in the 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, as a Major during World War II.

Captured after the fall of Bataan, he was held as a prisoner of war at PW Camp #1 in Cabanatuan until December 1944, when he was placed aboard the Oryoku Maru en route to Japan. The ship was bombed and sunk by American aircraft at Subic Bay on December 15, 1944, and he lost his life in the attack.

Maj Dunmyer's name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Silver Star Citation:
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) William James Dunmyer (ASN: 0-20675), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in action against the enemy during the defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Dunmyer, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, valor.militarytimes.com, weremember.abmc.gov