Veteran of the Day — December 3, 2025

Master Sergeant Llewellyn Morris “Al” Chilson

United States Army
Infantry – 45th Infantry Division “Thunderbirds”
World War II — North Africa, Italy, France, Germany
April 1, 1920 – October 2, 1981
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio • Raised in Akron, Ohio

“America’s Neglected Warrior”

Llewellyn Morris “Al” Chilson was born on April 1, 1920, in Dayton, Ohio. His father was a World War I veteran; his family later moved to Akron, Ohio, where Chilson grew up in a tough working-class neighborhood. When he was 10, his mother was struck and killed by a truck in front of their home — a loss that forced him to grow up fast. He left high school at 16 and became a long-haul truck driver.

On March 28, 1942, Chilson was drafted into the U.S. Army. After basic training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, he trained with the 112th Infantry Regiment at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, and Camp Gordon Johnston, Florida, before joining the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division — the “Thunderbirds.”

A One-Man Army Across Europe

Chilson fought in some of the hardest campaigns of World War II:

Sicily and Italy, including brutal fighting around Anzio
Southern France (Operation Dragoon)
The push into Germany in 1945

In February 1944, near Anzio, he and three other soldiers were captured after running out of ammunition. Forced to serve as litter-bearers for the Germans, they seized an opportunity, escaped, captured four enemy soldiers, and then helped round up around 40 more. Chilson received one of his Silver Stars for that action.

Later in France and Germany, his combat record became almost unbelievable:

Seizing key hills and positions under fire
Beating back counterattacks while capturing dozens of prisoners
Leading assaults that took over 200 enemy soldiers prisoner in a matter of days in March 1945

He was twice recommended for the Medal of Honor, including for defending an “indefensible” position near Mulhausen, France, on November 30, 1944 — but the recommendations were never approved at the highest level.

One of the Most Decorated Soldiers of WWII

By war’s end, Chilson had become one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II, earning twelve individual combat decorations, including seven for valor:

Distinguished Service Cross (3)
Silver Star (3)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2) – one with “V” for valor
Purple Heart (3)
Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and multiple campaign medals.

On December 6, 1946, President Harry S. Truman personally presented Chilson with seven of those awards at the White House. Looking over the citations, Truman said:

“This is the most remarkable list of citations I have ever seen… These ought to be worth a Medal of Honor — that’s what I think about it.”

The National Guard Association later called him the second-most-decorated American soldier of World War II. (Military Hall of Honor)

Life After War

Chilson left active duty in 1946, then re-enlisted in 1947, becoming an Army recruiter and later training National Guardsmen at Fort Hood, where he met another famous hero — Audie Murphy.

In 1961, he survived a deadly crash of a USAF C-124 Globemaster II that killed 24 people; he was one of only four survivors. He retired from the Army in 1964 as a Master Sergeant and later lived in Washington state, working ordinary jobs and keeping a low profile despite his extraordinary record.

Chilson passed away on October 2, 1981, in Tampa, Florida, and is buried at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, Washington, where a memorial honors his service.

Reflection

A tough kid from Akron who became one of America’s most decorated warriors — and then quietly went home and lived like an ordinary man.

Master Sergeant Llewellyn “Al” Chilson reminds us that some of the greatest heroes in our history never sought the spotlight. They just did their duty, over and over, no matter how hard it got.

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At mickyspano.com/, we honor the men and women who stepped forward when our nation called.

Today, we remember Master Sergeant Llewellyn Morris “Al” Chilson, United States Army — a quiet warrior whose courage, sacrifice, and extraordinary record of valor earned him a place among the most decorated soldiers of World War II.

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