World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Erland W. Chellin
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE. SERVED AS A PARATROOPER ASSIGNED TO GOLF COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION ON D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944 IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS DURING THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, OPERATION OVERLORD. HE DIED ALONG WITH 13 OTHER PARATROOPERS AND ALL 5 AIRCREW MEN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT, A C-47 ‘SKYTRAIN’ TROOP CARRIER WAS SHOT DOWN AFTER ENCOUNTERING HEAVY ARTILLERY FLAK IN THE PICAUVILLE AREA ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA WHILE APPROACHING THE DESIGNATED DROP ZONE. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO ILLINOIS FOR BURIAL, WITH INTERMENT IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE OF 1940 AND THE ORANGE LANYARD OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.