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]
Llewellyn Morris Chilson | |
|---|---|
 Master Sergeant Llewellyn Chilson, U.S. Army | |
| Nickname(s) | "Al" |
| Born | April 1, 1920 Dayton, Ohio, United States |
| Died | October 2, 1981 (aged 61) Tampa, Florida, United States |
| Buried | Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, Washington |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 1947–1964 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Unit |
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| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (3) Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit Bronze Star (2) with "V" Device Army Commendation Medal Purple Heart (3) Combat Infantryman Badge |
Early years
editLlewellyn Chilson was born on April 1, 1920, in Dayton, Ohio. He was the second son of Frank and Goldia Chilson, his father a World War I veteran. The family moved to Akron, Ohio where his father worked as a bus driver. In 1930, his mother was struck and killed by a truck in front of their home. Chilson grew up on the rough streets of South Akron. He left South High School at age 16, taking a truck driving job hauling freight across the country. His older brother, Staff Sergeant Alvin M. Chilson, was killed in action serving with the 37th Infantry Division in the Philippines on February 16, 1945.[3]
Military career
editWorld War II
edit
Chilson was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 28, 1942, during World War II. He reported to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana for his basic training. After basic training, he was transferred to Camp Livingston, Louisiana for more training and then to Camp Johnson, Florida for amphibious training with the 112th Infantry Regiment. He was transferred to Fort Pickett, Virginia and the 45th Infantry Division ("Thunderbirds") in May 1942 and became a member of Anti-Tank Company, 2nd Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment.
North Africa (Mediterranean Theater)
editChilson and his unit landed in Oran, Algeria on June 22, 1943, and prepared for the Invasion of Sicily (July 10, 1943).
Italy
editDuring 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)
editChilson 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
editChilson 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
editChilson 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 Distinguished Service Cross (for actions on March 26), a third Silver Star (2nd bronze oak leaf cluster), a Legion of Merit, and a Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device for these actions.[5]
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
editAt 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)
editHe 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
editPresident Harry Truman personally decorated former T/Sgt. Llewellyn Chilson with seven individual combat decorations (six for valor) at a White House ceremony in the presence of Chilson's wife, baby daughter, and parents on December 6, 1946.[10] Truman said, "This is the most remarkable list of citations I have ever seen. For any one of these, this young man is entitled to all the Country has to offer. These ought to be worth a Medal of Honor---that's what I think about it."[3] Chilson had been recommended for the Medal of Honor, which was approved by General Joseph T. McNarney, the commanding general of the U.S. Forces in the European Theater. However, the War Department found Chilson's actions commendable, but not worthy of the Medal of Honor.[1]
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 Fort Hood to help train National Guardsman and met legendary soldier Audie Murphy.[11] Chilson was considered to be the second most decorated soldier of World War II by the National Guard Association.[12] On May 24, 1961, Chilson was one of only four survivors of the crash of a USAF Douglas C-124A Globemaster II that killed 24.[13]
He retired from the U.S. Army as a master sergeant in 1964.
Later years and death
editChilson 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
editChilson'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
editChilson'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][23]
References
editNotes
- ^ a b Borch, Fred L.; Dorr, Robert F. "Llewellyn Chilson: America's Neglected Warrior". Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Chilson, Llewellyn M. - TracesOfWar.com". www.tracesofwar.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Llewellyn Chilson Awards and Citations". 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.
- ^ "William Millwee Owens, Jr. Collection". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.
- ^ "John Blanck Service - Section: "179th Infantry Regiment, The Story of a Regiment", statement by Danny Lehan in regard to Chilson". www.maggieblanck.com. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ 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
- ^ "The National Guardsman, Volume 6". National Guard Association of the United States. 6: 130. 1952. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Army Regulation, Military Awards" (PDF). Section II, Individual Department of Defense Decorations (Purple Heart). 2006-12-11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
- ^ "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". Archived from the original on 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Ohio Military Hall of Fame – Honoring Ohio's Military Heroes".
- ^ "Washington Soldiers Home Orting | WDVA". www.dva.wa.gov.
- ^ "History of Washington Soldiers Home, 1891-1991, Llewellyn Chilson (Chilson Hall dedication), page 24" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-30.
- ^ Military Order of the Purple Heart, Llewellyn M. Chilson Chapter 407
- ^ "VVSeptOct2013" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-25.
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.
