World War II Honoree

Otis H. Chapman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Honored By

Debra Roy

Relationship

niece

He was in the 618th Engineering Equipment Company. He operated heavy equipment, often under fire. The 618th Engineer Equipment Company was activated 25 May 1943 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana and engaged in training there for the remainder of 1943. Renowned for its expertise in bridge construction, obstacle removal, and rapid airfield repairs, the battalion played a crucial role in enabling the mobility of front line forces. In February 1944, the 618th arrived in New Guinea. They operated around Milne Bay, on the SE end of Papua New Guinea. Milne Bay had become a major facility by then and was undergoing extensive development. The 618th moved from New Guinea to the Philippines in May 1945. The 618th worked in NW Luzon. San Fernando. La Union province N of Manila, was their base of operations. The 618th was inactivated 15 January 1946 in the Philippines. The company operated across the Pacific, primarily performing engineering and equipment-related missions to facilitate Allied advances against Japanese forces. The 618th Engineer Support Company was one of the most decorated engineer companies in the Army. For his service he received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with two bronze stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal with bronze service star. He also received the Good Conduct Medal.