World War II Honoree

Turner M. Chambliss, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

District Of Columbia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. HE GRADUATED FROM WEST POINT, THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY JANUARY 19, 1943. AFTER COMPLETING PARATROOPER TRAINING, HE SERVED AS LEADER OF THE 2ND PLATOON, G-COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. IN THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY, HE PARACHUTED INTO THE SAINT COME-DU-MONT (BEAUMONT) AREA ON THE FRENCH COTENTIN PENINSULA IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, 01:40, D-DAY, TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944. THIS WAS THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, CODE NAME: OPERATION OVERLORD, IN WHICH HE WAS KILLED BY A SNIPER IN THE VICINITY OF THE DOUVE RIVER BRIDGES AND WAS BURIED IN THE ST. MERE EGLISE (AMERICAN CEMETERY #1), CARENTAN, FRANCE. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT MAY 27, 1948 IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY CEMETERY, WEST POINT, NEW YORK. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: BRONZE STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART WERE AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED TO FIRST LIEUTENANT CHAMBLISS FOR EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY IN ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY IN THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY. THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.