US Army MSG Llewellyn Chilson: One of the most decorated WWII soldiers

Welcome back everyone.  

This week’s Medal of Honor short is about USMC PFC Jimmy Wayne Phipps, an 18 year old combat engineer serving in the Vietnam War.  

When I start thinking about stories like his I can’t help but think about what I was doing at age 18.  Yes, I was in the Air Force at the time, but I wasn’t sacrificing myself to save the lives of others, and like most of our fallen, he was too young. 

Now today's story is about US Army Msgt Llewellyn Chilson.  His story is about a soldier who fought his way through Europe, displaying remarkable acts of courage along the way.  From the invasion of Sicily to fighting in Germany, his valor on the battlefield was nearly unmatched by anyone else.  On numerous occasions, he pushed away his fear and took on the enemy alone, and this is his story. 

Llewellyn Chilson was born on April 1, 1920 in Dayton, Ohio to parents Goldia and Frank Chilson.  His mother Goldia was tragically killed when Llewellyn was just ten years old.  His father Frank, a WWI veteran, supported the family as a cab driver.  When Llewellyn was just 16, he dropped out of high school and took a job as a truck driver. 

Shortly before he turned 22, Llewellyn received his draft notice and was inducted into the Army on March 28, 1942.  After training at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana and then Camp Livingston in LA, he joined the 45th Infantry Division at Ft. Pickett, VA.

By May 1943, in addition to basic training, Pvt Chilson had received five months of rifleman training and two months as a tank driver.   Shortly after, the 45th landed in Algeria while final preparations were made for the Invasion of Sicily.  

When the 45th, known as the Thunderbirds, landed on Sicilian soil on July 10, 1943, Chilson, who was now a PFC, was a machine gunner with an anti-tank platoon.  For his combat actions from July 11-31 PFC Chilson was awarded a Bronze Star.  Unfortunately all sources mentioning this award didn’t give any specific actions, so I couldn’t go into more detail.

In February 1944, the 45th was assigned to secure the beachhead during the Battle of Anzio. 

A few weeks later, CPL Chilson received a shrapnel wound to his face during a fierce German counteroffensive, which he was awarded a Purple Heart.  The day after he was wounded, the Germans launched another attack directly at CPL Chilson and the men of the 45th.  Even though they were suffering heavy casualties the Germans pressed their attack.  The sheer number of German soldiers attacking their positions were starting to overwhelm their sector.  By afternoon, CPL Chilson and his squad had run out of ammunition and were at risk of being overrun.  Unfortunately for them, a nearby unit had moved back which allowed the Germans to inflict heavy losses on the Allied troops there, and they took Chilson and three others as prisoners.

The four Americans were forced to carry ammunition that would be used against their own and as stretcher bearers moving injured Germans from the front lines.  Though their time as prisoners were limited.  On Feb 20, the allied forces launched a coordinated attack on the Germans.  During this barrage, Chilson and the other three escaped captivity.  On the way back to their lines, the four captured four Germans at an outpost.  In addition to the four men, CPL Chilson returned with valuable intelligence which led to the capture of 40 additional Germans.  For this he was awarded a Silver Star. 

On June 11, CPL Chilson left his unit without permission and went to Rome for two days.  When he returned he was given extra duties as punishment.  One could only assume that he didn’t like this as he went AWOL again six days later.   This time he was gone for 11 days and was immediately thrown in the stockade upon his return.  The following month he was court-martialed and was busted down to private.  In addition, he received a pay reduction for four months, and four months confinement, which was suspended. 

On August 15, 1944, Chilson, now a Sgt, and the other men of the 45th took part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France.  As the center of the 6th Corps, they landed near Nice.  Over the next few weeks, they pushed further North trying to entrap the Germans between themselves and the 3rd Army.  As they chased the Germans, Chilson was tasked with gathering and interrogating prisoners. 

By Oct 28, he was back serving in combat.  G Company and other units of the 45th were forced to retreat following a German counterattack near Lorraine, and they suffered heavy casualties.  Eventually the Allied forces were able to slow the German advance and they were able to form a line of defense, but the Germans were able to take positions on a hill and pin down the Allies.  Attempts at dislodging the Germans were unsuccessful and they suffered additional casualties.  

This is where Sgt Chilson stepped in.  I’m not sure if he was ordered to, or he took it upon himself, but he snuck around the German flank and attacked them alone.  This surprise attack led to the capture of 25 German soldiers.  His actions were reported to the Award Board, but he wasn’t awarded any medals for his actions.  Most likely for his history of going AWOL.      

Even with that history, by November 24, 1944, Chilson had been promoted Tech Sgt.  On that day, his platoon’s movements were halted by a German roadblock which was fortified by rifle and machine gun fire.  With the platoon pinned down, Sgt Chilson had a machine gun set up to lay down covering fire as he crawled around the roadblock’s flank under the cover of darkness.  He moved quietly and was able to get within twenty yards of the German position.  He threw two grenades into the roadblock, then sprang up and engaged them with his sub-machine gun, killing three and forcing nine more to surrender to him.  He was awarded a second Silver Star for this action.

On February 16, 1945, the Chilson family suffered more tragedy as Llewellyn’s brother Alvin, who was a SSGT in the Army, was killed in action while fighting in the Philippines.

As the men of the 45th were attempting to cross the Rhine River near Gernsheim, Germany on March 26, the assault platoon leader was wounded and unable to lead his men forward.  On his own initiative, Sgt. Chilson took command of the platoon and reorganized them.  Under intense enemy fire, he led an attack on the enemy.  They were able to eliminate eleven soldiers and captured another 225 prisoners.  During this attack, Sgt. Chilson alone destroyed an ammunition car, two heavy machine guns and three flak guns.  For this action, Sgt. Chilson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award a soldier can receive.

The following month Sgt Chilson led his platoon into Meilenhofen, Germany, on April 25 when German forces opened up on them with 20mm guns.  Once he pinpointed the German positions, Sgt. Chilson drove a jeep with a mounted machine gun to the middle of a street and opened fire.  Alone, he took out two flak guns, an 88-mm gun, and killed approximately 40 riflemen.  Later that day, as troops moved towards the town of Zell, their progress was stopped by more 20mm guns.  Seeing this, Sgt. Chilson jumped on an abandoned German motorcycle, rode to the front and located six more guns.  One gun opened up on him from just 50 yards away, hitting and destroying the motorcycle.  He hit the ground hard, but was able to get up and charge the gun while throwing a grenade.  This killed three of the gun crew and took out the gun.  He then returned to the lead tank and directed fire which ended up taking out the remainder of the guns.  For this, he was awarded his second Distinguished Service Cross. 

Just two days later, Sgt. Chilson would receive his third Distinguished Service Cross of the war.  As he, and his platoon, were assaulting the German town of Neuberg, they were pinned down by machine gun fire from the second floor of a house.  He knew there was no time to wait, he rushed across the fire swept street, ran up the stairs, and threw a grenade into the room where the gun crew were set up.  The grenade killed two and forced the surrender of eight others.  Later that day, one of his squads were entering a nearby house when they were stopped by machine gun fire coming from a courtyard.  Sgt Chilson raced to the courtyard and threw a grenade and then assaulted the enemy there.  He was forced to fire his carbine with his left hand as his right arm had been hit by an enemy bullet.  In addition to receiving his third Distinguished Service Cross, he was also awarded a second purple heart. 

Sgt Chilson remained in the Army until June 30, 1946 when he was honorably discharged.  

Five months later, TSGT Chilson was at a White House ceremony where President Harry Truman personally awarded him with seven combat decorations.  President Truman said exactly what many think when they hear about Sgt Chilson’s story.  He 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."

Sgt. Chilson is considered the second most decorated soldier of the war, with Lt Audie Murphy being the most decorated.  He  was recommended for the Medal of Honor, but the War Department said his actions were not worthy of the award.

Sgt. Chilson reenlisted in the Army in November 1947 and became a recruiter.  On May 24, 1961 Sgt Chilson was one of only four people who survived a plane crash that killed 24 others.  He would go on to serve until 1964, when he retired as a Master Sgt. 

After he retired, Sgt. Chilson moved to Washington State where he managed a gas station and drove a cab.

On October 2, 1981, Llewellyn Chilson died at the age of 61 and he is buried at the Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, Washington. 

Llewellyn Chilson's life stands as a powerful testament to courage and dedication. Despite the overwhelming dangers of battle, he repeatedly placed himself in harm's way, not for personal glory, but to protect his men and serve his country. His actions on the battlefield, where he faced down enemy forces with unwavering resolve, remind us that true heroism is born from selflessness and an unyielding commitment to a cause greater than oneself.       

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To read more about this week’s hero, check out the sources used in today's episode in our show notes and at dutyandvalor.com.

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Please join us for our next episode, where we'll be sharing the inspiring story of another American hero who served with pride and lived with humility.