Dillard Lee Kerley was born on 8 May 1916 at Blowing Rock, North Carolina, the son of Elster Leroy Kerley and Bina Miller. Husband of Amanda Maves.
Killed in Action, 20 Nov 1943, during operations against Imperial Japanese Forces on Betio Islet, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands.
Private
8th Marines, 2nd Battalion, Company F
Pvt Kerley is buried at Laurel Fork Cemetery, Boone, Watauga County, North Carolina.
The Johnson City Press, 2 January 1944
Pvt. Dillard L. Kerley, 27 year-old Elizabethton Marine who was killed in action in the Pacific area, was a native of Blowing Rock, N.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Kerley. His widow, Mrs. Amanda Mayes Kerley, lives at 1108 Burgie Street, Elizabethton. The Marine is a former employe of an Elizabethton rayon corporation in civilian life. He volunteered for U.S. Marine Corps service October 29, 1942, and was assigned to overseas duty late that year. He is a graduate of Blowing Rock High School.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 8 May 1916
- Date of death: 20 November 1943
- County: Carter
- Hometown: Elizabethton
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 8th Marines, 2nd Battalion
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal-1 star, World War II Victory Medal
- Burial/Memorial Location: Laurel Fork Cemetery, Boone, Watauga County, North Carolina
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VII, Bottom Panel
- Sponsored by: David M. Kerley
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