Sgtmaj Corps (Ret.)

SgtMaj Billy Lee Lyday, United State Marine Corps (Ret.), 91, of Beaufort and husband of Masae Lyday, died Friday, June 1, 2018, at his residence.

Sergeant Major Lyday was a 30 year United States Marine Corps Veteran having served in W.W.II, Korea, and Viet Nam. While in the Corp his accomplishments include Bronze Star Medal; Air Medals, 16 awards; Navy Commendation Medal; Nay Achievement Medal; Purple Heart, 3 Starts; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation, 2 Stars; Navy Unit Commendation, 1 star; Meritorious Unit Commendation, 2 stars; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, 2 Stars; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal, 1 Star; Korean Service Medal; Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal, 6 Stars; United Nations Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm & Frame (MUC); Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Bronze Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Aircrew Insignia; 'BOEING' Rescue Citation; Republic of Vietnam Parachute Insignia; Navy & Marine Corps Parachute Insignia; Navy Scuba Diver Insignia; Rifle Expert Badge; Rifle Requal Bar, 6th Award; Pistol Expert Badge; Pistol Requal Bar, 7th Award; Is qualified as Aerial Gunner; Qualified Naval Scuba Diver & Instructor; Qualified to operate Motor Vehicles up to an including 5 tons; Qualified as a Back-Seat Pilot; Armed Forces Water Safety Instructor; Demolition Engineer School; Drill Instructor School; Non-Commissioned Officer School; Officer Basic Course; Armed Forces Projectionists School; U.S. Naval School Instructor C1 C-1 Course; Basic Airborne Course; First Sergeant School; Mountain Leadership School; Jungle Environmental Survival Training; Amphibious Training for Recon; H-2E/010-3926 Course; MCI Washington, D.C.; Test Construction, Speech for Instructors, Communist Mine Guerilla Warfare, Intro to Personnel Admin, Land Mine Warfare & Demolition, Correspondence Practices, Infantry NCO Leadership, Spelling, Personnel Reporting, Corrections, Civic Actions, Combat Intelligence, Military Functions in Civic Disorders & Disturbances, The RECON Marine, Land Navigation, The Marine NCO, Individual Protective Measures, MPFW-M202: Flame-Thrower. Sergeant Major Lyday served in World War II from November 1943 until February 1946, he served in China during WWII and again in 1947 in Shanghai; he served in Korea from August 1953 until October 1954 ; and in Vietnam from October 1967 until May 1969.

A funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning, June 5, 2018, at Community Bible Church.A committal service will be held at 11 o'clock Thursday, June 7, 2018, at Beaufort National Cemetery with Marine Corps honors.