Llewellyn M. Chilson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Llewellyn M. Chilson, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 25 April 1945, in Germany. When the enemy opened up with 20-mm. guns on the company’s positions shortly after entering the town of Meilenholen, Germany, Sergeant Chilson quickly observed their positions and moved a jeep, armed with a machine gun, to the middle of the street and opened fire. In the ensuing action, he personally knocked out two flak guns, one 88-mm. gun, rendered another 88-mm. useless by knocking out it’s crew and killed approximately 40 enemy riflemen. When our reconnaissance troops advanced to take the town of Zell, they were halted by 20- mm. flak fire. Sergeant Chilson quickly mounted a motorcycle, abandoned by the enemy and riding in front of the reconnaissance troop located six more 20-mm. guns. One flak gun opened fire on him from a distance of about 50 yards and his motorcycle was shot from under him. He hit the dirt, rolled over, jumped to his feet, and ran directly towards the gun position and threw a grenade. This action killed three members of the enemy crew and knocked out the gun. Returning to the lead tank, he directed their fire upon the remaining five flak guns which were subsequently destroyed. Sergeant Chilson has always been an inspiration to the men of his company and his intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Llewellyn M. Chilson, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 27 April 1945, in Germany. While engaged in taking the town of Neuberg, Germany, Sergeant Chilson and his platoon were halted by intense automatic weapons fire coming from a second story apartment house. Realizing that unless the enemy was knocked out immediately, a large number of casualties would be inflicted upon his platoon, Sergeant Chilson, with complete disregard for his own safety, rushed across the fire-swept street and into the house. Racing up the stairs to the second floor, he tossed a high explosive grenade into the room, killing two members of the enemy machine gun crew and capturing eight. He then called his platoon forward and they occupied the building without a casualty. Later, as one of his squads was moving into the next house, they were halted by automatic rifle fire which came from a courtyard. Again Sergeant Chilson came forward, and, tossing a white phosphorous grenade into the courtyard, assaulted the enemy position. Firing his carbine with his left hand after being wounded in the right arm by an enemy bullet, he killed two of the enemy and captured a third. His daring and utter disregard for his own personal safety is worthy of the highest praise. Technical Sergeant Chilson’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Llewellyn M. Chilson, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 26 March 1945, in Germany. During the crossing of the Rhine River near Gernsheim, Germany, Technical Sergeant Chilson distinguished himself by his coolness, bravery, and aggressiveness. When the leader of the Second Platoon, the assault platoon of the company, was wounded, he, by his own initiative, assumed command and quickly organized the platoon into a compact, efficient assault force and with vigor and keen judgment led his force along the river bank. Despite heavy and intense enemy fire of all types and all calibers, he, because of his exceptional self-sacrifice and disregard of his personal safety, performed outstandingly intrepid actions, resulting in the death of eleven enemy soldiers and in the capture of a total of two hundred and twenty-five prisoners. In addition, Technical Sergeant Chilson personally destroyed an ammunition vehicle and two heavy machine guns and made possible the capture of two other heavy machine guns and the destruction of three enemy flak vehicles. The brilliant and exemplary leadership and superior devotion to duty which characterized his accomplishments, contributed directly to the company’s combat success and reflect the highest credit upon himself, the 45th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.