Llewellyn Chilson
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Llewellyn Morris Chilson | |
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Master Sergeant | |
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Llewellyn Morris Chilson (April 1, 1920 – October 2, 1981) was a United States Army master sergeant and one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II. He received twelve individual decorations for combat from the U.S. Army including seven decorations for valor. After the war, the President of the United States personally decorated Chilson with seven decorations including three Distinguished Services Crosses for extraordinary heroism in Germany.[1][2]
Early years
Llewellyn Chilson was born on April 1, 1920, in
Military career
World War II
Chilson was
North Africa (Mediterranean Theater)
Chilson and his unit landed in
Italy
During the Sicily campaign, Chilson received the Combat Infantryman Badge (later awarded the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the CIB) for combat actions on July 11 to 31, 1943.[4] In February 1944, the 45th Division reinforced the beachhead at Anzio. He received a Purple Heart for being wounded by shrapnel near Carroceto, Italy on February 15, 1944.[5] On February 16, near Aprilia, Italy, he and three other American soldiers were captured by German soldiers after running out of ammunition in a firefight and were made litter-bearers for the German forces. The four American soldiers managed to escape on February 17, taking four enemy prisoners with them. This then led to the capture of 40 enemy soldiers by Chilson. He was awarded a Silver Star.[5][6][7]
Southern France (European Theater)
Chilson participated in the invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon) on August 15, 1944. He was transferred to Second Platoon, Company "G", 2nd Battalion, 179th Infantry. On October 28, he managed to capture a hill taking 25 enemy prisoners. He was awarded a second Silver Star (bronze oak leaf cluster) for actions near Denshein, France on November 26, 1944.[5]
Northern France
Chilson was recommended for the Medal of Honor by Lt. William M. Owens,[8] Second Platoon leader, for defending an indefensible position at Mulhausen near Gumbrechtshoffen, France, on November 30, 1944.[9] On December 27, he became the platoon sergeant of Second Platoon, Company G.
Germany
Chilson was again recommended for the Medal of Honor for a series of heroic actions in Germany from March 26–31, 1945. This included his taking over 200 enemy prisoners. He was awarded a
He was also awarded a second and third Distinguished Service Cross (1st and 2nd bronze oak leaf cluster) for his actions on April 25 and 27, and a Purple Heart (2nd bronze oak leaf cluster) for his wounds received on April 26, near Neuberg.[5]
England
At the end of April 1945, Chilson was sent to and hospitalized in Stockbridge, England at the U.S. Army's 34th General Hospital stationed there. While hospitalized, he met a U.S. Army nurse named Mary Armstrong, whom he married later that year.
United States (American Theater)
He returned to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in June 1945. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on June 30, 1946.[7]
Post-war
President
Chilson re-enlisted into the U.S. Army on November 17, 1947. He waived his 40% disability and became an Army Recruiter. In 1952, Chilson was sent to
He retired from the U.S. Army as a master sergeant in 1964.
Later years and death
Chilson lived in Tacoma, Washington after he retired from the army where he managed a gas station and was a taxi cab driver. He later moved to Puyallup, Washington.
Chilson died at age 61 on October 2, 1981, while on vacation in Tampa, Florida. He is buried in the veterans section at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, Washington (Lakewood was incorporated in 1996) and is honored with a memorial dedicated to him.
Military awards
Chilson's military awards and decorations include twelve individual decorations for combat he received from the U.S. Army for World War II: three Distinguished Service Crosses, three Silver Stars, one Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals (one for heroism), and three Purple Hearts.[14] Seven of the twelve medals are decorations for valor.
Chilson received the following military awards and decorations:
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Personal awards and honors
Chilson's personal awards and honors include:
- Ohio Medal of Valor (2006)[18]
- Ohio Military Hall of Fame (2006)[19]
- Washington Soldiers Home (Chilson Recreation Center/Memorial, 1983), Orting, Washington[20][21]
- Military Order of the Purple Heart (Llewellyn M. Chilson Chapter 407), Lakewood, Washington[22]
References
Notes
- ^ a b Borch, Fred L. Dorr, Robert F. "Llewellyn Chilson: America's Neglected Warrior". Retrieved 20 March 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "One-man army: Akron WWII hero collected more medals in one day than any other U.S. soldier". Akron Beacon Journal
- ^ a b Dorr, Robert F. "Duty, Honor, Country Army heroes: Chilson's valor in 1945 earned seven awards". Army Times. Gannett. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
- ^ https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/35010
- ^ TracesOfWar.com. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ^ Pfc Chilson photo: 20 Feb., 1944: Signal Corps photo National Archives
- ^ a b "Llewellyn M. Chilson Awards and Citations". militarytimes.com. Gannet Corporation. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ Veterans History Project, William Millwee Owens, Jr
- ^ http://www.maggieblanck.com/Blanck/Service.html Section: "179th Infantry Regiment, The Story of a Regiment", statement by Danny Lehan in regard to Chilson.
- ^ President Truman Awards 7 Medals To Hero Soldier, Movietone News, 1946, retrieved December 29, 2013 – via youtube.
- ^ "The National Guardsman" magazine by the National Guardsman Association of the United States, 1952, Vol. 6, p. 130, "Top War Heroes Train Guard", Chilson joins Audie Murphy at Fort Hood, Texas. Retrieved 12/29/2013
- ^ National Guard Association of the United States (1952). "The National Guardsman, Volume 6": 130. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ McClary, Daryl C. (February 22, 2012). "HistoryLink Essay: U.S. Air Force C-124A Globemaster II crashes near McChord Air Force Base on May 24, 1961.". Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History. HistoryLink.org. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Army Regulation, Military Awards 11 Dec. 2006: Chapter 3, US Army individual Decorations, p. 36-37, 3-2 / Section II, Individual Department of Defense Decorations (Purple Heart), p. 20. 2-8 - ^ Pfc Chilson photo/caption: ... He had just escaped from being a prisoner of the Germans. 20 Feb., 1944: Signal Corps photo National Archives
- ^ "Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1" (PDF).
Awarded to 45th Infantry Division for the period 1–31 January 1944/ Department of the Army General Order 43-50
(GO 43, 1950) - ^ French Decision No. 843, 21 June 1945, victory at Acquafondata (Italy).
- ^ Ohio Medal of Valor, 2006
- ^ Ohio Military Hall of Fame, 2006
- ^ Washington State VA, Washington Soldiers Home Orting
- ^ History of Washington Soldiers Home, 1891-1991, Llewellyn Chilson (Chilson Hall dedication), page 24, [1]
- ^ Military Order of the Purple Heart, Llewellyn M. Chilson Chapter 407 [2]
Bibliography
- World War II magazine, April 2006. One Man Army: Forgotten Hero Llewellyn Chilson. Above, Beyond, and Forgotten by Fred Borch/Robert Dorr. pp. 26–32.