Master Sergeant Llewellyn Morris Chilson (April 1, 1920--Oct. 10, 1981) was a United States Army career soldier who served heroically in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Chilson performed remarkably on several occasions thoughout the war. The U.S. Army awarded him over a dozen decorations including three for "extraordinary heroism". He was recommended for the Medal of Honor twice during the war...once, for holding an important and indefensible position against many enemy soldiers. The President of the United States personally decorated Chilson with seven combat medals for valor during a ceremony at the White House after the war.[1]
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Lewellyn Chilson was born on April 1, 1920 in Dayton, Ohio. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Chilson, his father a World War I veteran. Chilson grew up on the tough streets of South Akron. Chilson left South High School at age 16 taking a truck driving job hauling freight across the country. He was inducted into the United States Army on March 28, 1942. Army Staff Sergeant Alvin Chilson, his older brother, was killed in action in the Philippines on February 22, 1944.
Chilson reported to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana for basic training. He was transferred to Camp Livingston, Louisiana for more training and Camp Johnson, Florida for amphibious training with the 112th Infantry. He was transferred to Fort Pickett, Virginia and the 45th Infantry Division ("Thunderbirds") in May 1942 and became a member of Anti-Tank Company, 179th Infantry. His unit landed in Oran, Algeria on June 22, 1943 and prepared for the Invasion of Sicily (July 10, 1943). In February 1944, the 45th Division reinforced the beachhead at Anzio. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. He was awarded a Purple Heart for action on February 15, 1944. On February 16, he ran out of ammunition in a firefight with the enemy and was captured with two other soldiers and used for labor by the Germans. He managed to escape taking 40 prisioners and was awarded a Silver Star. In May, he was awarded another Silver Star. He participated in operation Dragoon (August 15, 1944); the invasion of Southern France. He was transferred to Company "G", 179th Infantry and on October 28, he captured a hill taking 25 prisioners. He was awarded a Silver Star for actions on November 24. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor by his platoon leader for heroic actions on Novemeber 30. In December, he became a platoon sergeant and was awarded a a Silver Star for actions on March 3, 1945. As temporary Platoon Leader in Company "G", he was recommended for the Medal of Honor for a series of heroic actions during March 26--31 which included taking over 200 prisoners and was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross, a Legion of Merit, and a Bronze Star Medal. For his actions on April 25, 26, and 27 in Germany, he was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses and two Purple Hearts. Hospitalized in England, he returned to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in June 1945. He was honorably discharged on June 30, 1946.
President Harry Truman decorated First Sergeant Chilson with seven combat decorations in the presence of his wife and baby daughter on December 6, 1946. 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." Chilson re-enlisted into the U.S. Army on November 17, 1947. He waived his 40% disablility and became an Army Recruiter. He retired a Master Sergeant in 1964 and moved to Tacoma, Washington. He managed a gas station and was taxicab driver before he passed away at age 61 on October 10, 1981. He is buried in Woodbine Cemetery, Puyallup, Washington.
(13 U.S. Army Decorations, World War II - Three Distinguished Service Crosses, Three Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, Three Bronze Star Medals, and Three Purple Hearts)
Three Distinguished Service Crosses, Three Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, Three Bronze Star Medals with Combat "V" (awarded two "V" devices), Three Purple Hearts, Presidential Unit Citation, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-Asiatic-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Star (silver star =5 bronze campaign stars) and Amphibious Assault Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, French Croix de Guerre with Palm (War Cross medal; Unit Award), French Liberation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Badge with Rifle Bars.
Distinguished Service Cross with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Silver Star with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Good Conduct Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star and Arrowhead
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
French Liberation Medal
Expert Badge with Rifle Bar
