The life of George Dilboy may indeed be coming to the silver screen, according to author Eddie Brady.

In the latest Scout print edition, Meghann Ackerman proposed four movies that ought to be made of Somerville lore. One of her choices was a biopic of World War I hero George Dilboy, a Medal of Honor recipient raised in Somerville. Meghann cited the book Georgie! My Georgie!, based on Dilboy’s life, as potential source material for a screenplay.

After reading Meghann’s article, Eddie Brady — the author of Georgie! My Georgie! — contacted Scout to give us an update on the prospect of bringing Dilboy’s life to the silver screen. Here’s what Brady told us:

“My book Georgie! My Georgie! has already been adapted into a screenplay by myself, and polished after consultation with a Hollywood script analyst, who called it an ‘epic story’ that could well draw Hollywood interest.

“The story is now being represented by an International Agency and being shopped around Hollywood looking for interest from Hollywood Executives, Producers, Agents or Actors.

“The Greek Community across the USA and in Somerville are aiming at a feature movie being made during the 100th anniversary of World War One, 2014-2018, when Hollywood will be looking for WWI  untold stories.

“We are calling Dilboy America’s greatest forgotten war hero.  The screenplay is entitled Dilboy’s Wars.  My four years [of] research [has] uncovered fascinating information that has never been published in the Somerville Journal.

“When the Hollywood cameras roll into Somerville, as we think is inevitable, because his life story is so inspiring, patriotic, and rare, it cannot help but make all Somervillians proud, past and present. It’s a thrilling story that will make you feel your own wealth.

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A memorial statue to Somerville solider and World War I hero George Dilboy at Hines VA hospital in Hines, Illinois.

As a sidebar to our recent article on military veterans, here are profiles of three of Somerville’s most decorated soldiers. Keep them in mind as you enjoy the July 4 weekend.

George Dilboy, Private First Class, Army, 1896-1918. Born in Alastra, Asia Minor, Dilboy came to Somerville at age 12 and lived at 85 Linwood St. As a boy he worked in the laundry of Mass. General Hospital. Once he learned English, he became a busboy at the Georgian Café in Boston and later a bellhop at the Copley Square Hotel. In July, 1918, he received a posthumous Medal of Honor “for gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty near Belleau, France.” You can find a detailed description of Dilboy’s valor on his bust outside City Hall. Both VFW Post 529 and Somerville’s largest stadium bear his name.

Henry Hansen, Sergeant, Marines, 1919-1945. A graduate of SHS in 1938, Hansen was one of six soldiers who first raised the American flag on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi. Seven days later, Hansen died in combat. In 2004, Somerville named Henry O. Hansen Memorial Park (at the corner of Medford St and Partridge Ave) in his honor.

John Sheehan, General, Marines, 1940-. Raised on Putnam Road in Ten Hills, General Sheehan served 35 years in the Marines, including combat tours in Vietnam and Desert Storm. He earned a Purple Heart and a Silver Star, among numerous other honors of high distinction.

photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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