The WWII, Korea, Vietnam 3rd Award Combat Infantryman Badge Holders, Photos and Biographies

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Douglas A. Dillard.

 

Dillard is a curious one, say's in his Obit Three Awards, yet in the period photo as a Colonel in the second link, he's wearing only a First Award, but in this late photo of him he is wearing the Third Award on a 551st PIB Vet cap. So a potential recipient in Dillard.

 

https://obittree.com/obituary/us/maryland/edgewater/george-p-kalas-funeral-home/douglas-dillard/3134321/

 

https://limacharlienews.com/news/douglas-dillard-a-soldiers-soldier-a-real-man/

 

 

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141. KROESEN, Frederick J.,Jr.

 

Kroesen of course is a more well know recipient.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Kroesen

 

 

 

Kroesen 2.jpgKroesen Americal.jpg

A couple of his Vietnam photos.

 

And Still Alive Pushing 95, God Bless!

Kroesen.jpg

Kroesen as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division from July 1972 to October 1974, wearing a maroon beret. His Third Award CIB Subdued on Cloth is plain to see.

 

 

[seanmc1114]

Command Sergeant Major Basil L. Plumley, who was made famous by his portrayal by Sam Elliott in "We Were Soldiers", claimed to be a triple CIB recipient and to was alleged to have participated in five combat parachute assaults in World War II and Korea. He even wore the CIB with two stars on his uniform in retirement. His name appears on the list of three time CIB recipients at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning. However, it appears he may have inflated quite a few of his awards. He was an artillery gliderman in the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II and did participate in combat glider landings at Normandy and during Market-Garden, but it appears he did not make any combat parachute jumps and that he did not even serve in Korea at all during the war. Thus the only CIB he received was for his service in Vietnam. It also appears he legitimately received one Silver Star but claimed two and also claimed a V device for his Bronze Star that he did not earn. If true, this is really sad because his legitimate military career was more distinguished than most.

 

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/05/17/army-investigating-we-were-soldiers-legend-for-inflating-award.html

 

[patches]

Hey thanks for adding Plumley Sean, I was going to do that, but got side tracked. I was going to add him as a notable, with the story on the what's and what's not surrounding the 3 CIB.

[seanmc1114]

Hey thanks for adding Plumley Sean, I was going to do that, but got side tracked. I was going to add him as a notable, with the story on the what's and what's not surrounding the 3 CIB.

The thing about the Sergeant Major is that I don't think you can call this a case of stolen valor because I'm not sure anyone would question his heroics or service. But the fact is that it appears he served quite honorably in World War II with a glider field artillery battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division and not an infantry unit so he almost certainly would not have received a CIB for that (but never say never). And it does not appear he served in Korea during the Korean War at all. Note that in the photo I posted, he is not wearing any service ribbons for the Korean War. He apparently did serve in Korea after his tour in Vietnam, so that may be the basis of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

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Robert C. Donald

 

 

A rather incomplete entry all around on this Man. So far can not find info on WWII or Korea, only Vietnam at the time he was killed, do not know if he served an earlier tour in the 62-64 period before the one in which he died.

 

Came across Donald on the Virtual Wall by accident, who was a real old timer, born in 1914, and according to one source enlisted in 1937 at age 22 or 23. Robert C.Donald, KIA in Vietnam, Green Berets, and seen he is another potential 3 Time recipient of the CIB, only thing is that his info while lists the 3rd Award of the Combat Infantryman's Badge, it curiously does NOT list a WWII Campaign ribbon.

 

The photo posted above is one taken sometime before Vietnam, 1965-66, and unfortunately he's not wearing his ribbons, here we see when he was serving in either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Armored Divisions (can't make out the DI, will have to an OOB and DUI search), in this photo we clearly he's wearing the 2nd Award, now this could be for Korea and a early tour in Vietnam, or WWII/Korea, but as you'll see in the below links a 3rd CIB is listed.

 

Now on his Wall profile page we see no 3rd Award, only a 1st.

 

http://www.virtualwall.org/dd/DonaldRC01a.htm

 

But on his Find a Grave we see for the first time the mention of the 3rd Award, and no ETO or PTO ribbons, not even an American Campaign Medal as we see just a American Defense Medal, the WWI Victory Medal and an Army of Occupation Medal.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17603837/robert-cyrill-donald

 

Turns up as well on a page on Together We Served, again 3rd Award CIB but none of the ETO or PTO ribbons are depicted, Korea and Vietnam yes, WWII no, and unfortunately does not list his WWII and Korea units, or for that matter any of his other no doubt many assignments, just the Green Berets.

 

https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=46581

 

 

 

 

 

[patches]

Robert C. Donald

 

17727992619.jpg

 

A rather incomplete entry all around on this Man. So far can not find info on WWII or Korea, only Vietnam at the time he was killed, do not know if he served an earlier tour in the 62-64 period before the one in which he died.

 

Came across Donald on the Virtual Wall by accident, who was a real old timer, born in 1914, and according to one source enlisted in 1937 at age 22 or 23. Robert C.Donald, KIA in Vietnam, Green Berets, and seen he is another potential 3 Time recipient of the CIB, only thing is that his info while lists the 3rd Award of the Combat Infantryman's Badge, it curiously does NOT list a WWII Campaign ribbon.

 

The photo posted above is one taken sometime before Vietnam, 1965-66, and unfortunately he's not wearing his ribbons, here we see when he was serving in either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Armored Divisions (can't make out the DI, will have to an OOB and DUI search), in this photo we clearly he's wearing the 2nd Award, now this could be for Korea and a early tour in Vietnam, or WWII/Korea, but as you'll see in the below links a 3rd CIB is listed.

 

Now on his Wall profile page we see no 3rd Award, only a 1st.

 

http://www.virtualwall.org/dd/DonaldRC01a.htm

 

But on his Find a Grave we see for the first time the mention of the 3rd Award, and no ETO or PTO ribbons, not even an American Campaign Medal as we see just a American Defense Medal, the WWI Victory Medal and an Army of Occupation Medal.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17603837/robert-cyrill-donald

 

Turns up as well on a page on Together We Served, again 3rd Award CIB but none of the ETO or PTO ribbons are depicted, Korea and Vietnam yes, WWII no, and unfortunately does not list his WWII and Korea units, or for that matter any of his other no doubt many assignments, just the Green Berets.

 

https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=46581

 

 

 

 

 

After a careful search with zooming in on unit crest, best guess as to unit in this photo would be the 48th Infantry, that means then the 3rd Armored Division in West Germany which had among it's Infantry, the 1st and 2nd Battalions 48th Infantry.

 

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William Bull,

 

Came across this from the May 1982 issue of SOLDIERS, a magazine I remember looking at when I was in, and now just got it again. A article on William Bull in that he was the first recipient of the Expert Infantryman Badge, Bull at this time was a Technical Sergeant in Company A, 399th Infantry 100th Infantry Division, in the article as you'll see (You'll have to zoom in on it to see narrative better) it gives his story to a great degree, member of the V for Victory War Show, an award of the Soldiers Medal etc etc, also stating he was not only in WWII with the 100th Infantry Division, but in Korea, 1st Cavalry Division 1950-51, and in Vietnam 25th Infantry Division 1968-69, and I quote "By the time of his retirement in April 1972, Bull added to his chest the Bronze Star with valor device, a two star Combat Infantryman Badge"

 

 

Buts that's where the info drops off curiously, no listing of the Soldiers Medal don't even see an Obit, only find few references to him online, no regiment in the Cav in the Korean War, or battalion in the 25th Div in Vietnam, the only finds so far being the mention of his EIB, and a course named after him with the EIB Test. The article only has two great WWII photos of him, but unfortunately no photo of him when he retired. So we'll make him as it stands right now one more 3rd Award recipient who didn't make it to the list.

 

Have to post the pages in two postings as they are too large for the one post, and I don't want to make them any smaller then they are.

 

[patches]

William Bull,

 

Came across this from the May 1982 issue of SOLDIERS, a magazine I remember looking at when I was in, and now just got it again. A article on William Bull in that he was the first recipient of the Expert Infantryman Badge, Bull at this time was a Technical Sergeant in Company A, 399th Infantry 100th Infantry Division, in the article as you'll see (You'll have to zoom in on it to see narrative better) it gives his story to a great degree, member of the V for Victory War Show, an award of the Soldiers Medal etc etc, also stating he was not only in WWII with the 100th Infantry Division, but in Korea, 1st Cavalry Division 1950-51, and in Vietnam 25th Infantry Division 1968-69, and I quote "By the time of his retirement in April 1972, Bull added to his chest the Bronze Star with valor device, a two star Combat Infantryman Badge"

 

 

Buts that's where the info drops off curiously, no listing of the Soldiers Medal don't even see an Obit, only find few references to him online, no regiment in the Cav in the Korean War, or battalion in the 25th Div in Vietnam, the only finds so far being the mention of his EIB, and a course named after him with the EIB Test. The article only has two great WWII photos of him, but unfortunately no photo of him when he retired. So we'll make him as it stands right now one more 3rd Award recipient who didn't make it to the list.

 

Have to post the pages in two postings as they are too large for the one post, and I don't want to make them any smaller then they are.

 

phpfjrzbdPM.jpg

Page Two of article.

 

[seanmc1114]

104. GRAHAM, Farrell C

 

Can't find much, only getting hints that he was Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Pacific in 1975.

 

And this undated foto, caption copied by me.

 

 

francisbennett.jpg

Sergeant First Class John W. Murphey (L), Secretary - Custodian, Noncommissioned Officers Open Mess, Fort Sheridan, greets Command Sergeant Major Francis J. Bennett (2d left), CSM, United States Continental Army Command. Escorting CSM Bennett to the luncheon held in his honor are: Command Sergeant Major Farrell C. Graham, (2d right) CSM, Fifth U.S. Army; and Command Sergeant Major D.J. Quinn (right), CSM, Fort Sheridan.

 

 

 

 

Here's another photo of CSM Farrel C. Graham on far right as Command Sergeant Major of the Fifth Army from March 30, 1970.

[seanmc1114]

158. MARR, William K.

 

No Info

Major Marr earned his third CIB early on in Vietnam as an adviser. This photo and bio came from a June 1964 Army Research and Development Command newsletter so his Vietnam assignment was immediately before that in the 1963-1964 time period.

[patches]

Fantastic find on Marr, William K. Sean, thanks for looking out, now we just need to find his WWI and Korea units, we see he's wearing number O Crossed Rifles, can't see what number, is it more clearer in it's original in hand view? Might be 82nd Bragg unit ones, But Sometimes it is indicative of a wartime unit, offices wearing these because they are not in a TOE Infantry unit at the moment, so they just wear old unit numbered BOS badges.

[seanmc1114]

120. HODGES, Warren D.

 

In WWII Hodges was in the 35th Infantry Division.

 

http://en.ww2awards.com/person/48844

 

In Korea, 2nd Infantry Division

 

http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=106055

 

 

Vietnam, 4th Infantry Division 1968-69 Chief Of Staff, maybe a Brigade commander for a bit, Brigade unknown.

 

Here's his name on an IVY Division Soldiers Medal award.

 

https://charliecompanydotorg.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/west-004-sm.pdf

 

And he's mentioned in Shelby Stanton's Rangers at War.

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=V_kL2gg5W8AC&pg=PT133&lpg=PT133&dq=Colonel+Warren+D.+Hodges+4th+Infantry+Division+Vietnam&source=bl&ots=xeO2EtMJ5t&sig=brRcyGqzhYa5mb_TCt3ATNgz-K4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjuiNOo8o3QAhUB2mMKHQNSBJkQ6AEIGzAA#v=onepage&q=Colonel%20Warren%20D.%20Hodges%204th%20Infantry%20Division%20Vietnam&f=false

 

 

Warren D. Hodges (1980–1987)

Warren Hodges

 

 

Warren D. Hodges was born in Lawrence, Kan. and attended the University of Kansas, where he played baseball and football before joining the Army in 1942. He later earned a degree from the University of Nebraska. He was also a graduate of several military command schools.

Hodges served during World War II in France and Germany, where he was wounded, and was later assigned to Japan, where he was General Douglas MacArthur's honor guard commander.

In July 1950, he returned to active duty in Korea as a battalion commander and regimental operations officer. He then served in the United States, Greece and Pakistan. He was deputy chief of the National Guard at the Pentagon before going to Vietnam, where he served as a brigade commander and division chief of staff. In 1969, he became chief of staff at Aberdeen Proving Ground and then commander of the combined Edgewood Arsenal and APG. He retired in 1972. He became an assistant secretary for capital planning in the state Department of Planning, and was named to head the Maryland National Guard by Governor Harry R. Hughes in 1980. He held the post until 1987.

Among his awards were the Combat Infantryman Badge with two stars, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He belonged to many veterans and military societies.

Here's more information on Hodges from a 1969 magazine article. Note that he was commissioned through the Coast Artillery Corps OCS in 1943 but obviously transferred to Infantry soon thereafter.

[seanmc1114]

285. WEAR, George E.

 

Wear, from what I'm finding was a Brigadier General at retirement sometime in the 70s I imagine.

 

He's mentioned here in this July-August or September -October 1969 issue of the Infantry Magazine as a Colonel.

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=dDuJuVWqHfQC&pg=RA3-PP4&lpg=RA3-PP4&dq=colonel+George+E.+Wear&source=bl&ots=1nEzlsVqBj&sig=CG7jkTw8WewxrtgZqH0IrVO27rA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2grHWh97YAhXRSd8KHaBtAwwQ6AEIVzAL#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

And commanded the 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam 1966-67. no info on WWII or Korea units as we see. And couldn't find Obit, perhaps then Gen Wear is still around then.

 

New 3rd Bde CO

 

DUC PHO - COL George E. Wear has assumed command of the 3rd Bde Task Force, 25th Inf Div, succeeding COL James G. Shanahan who has returned to the States.

Upon assuming command, Wear praised the men and said he considered it a great honor to have the opportunity to command the brigade.

A 1944 graduate of West Point, the colonel began his military career as a rifle platoon leader in World War II. He served as a company commander and battalion commander during the Korean War.

He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces War College, Army War College, and holds a master of science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

"I will do everything within my power to provide the guidance and leadership at the top that every brigade deserves and must have," COL Wear said during the ceremony.

Guest speaker was MG William R. Peers, commanding general of the 4th Inf Div. MG Peers welcomed the new commander and said, "He (COL Wear) comes to us and to your brigade with all the credentials and with a high degree of professionalism."

This is from November 1969 and mentions his World War II and Korean War units. Note that your information shows he commanded the 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam while mine mentions the 4th Infantry Division. The 3rd Brigade of the 25th arrived in Vietnam before the rest of the division and was serving in Pleiku in II Corps when the remaining units of the 25th arrived in-country and were stationed around Cu Chi in III Corps. At some point in 1967, rather than sending the 3rd Brigade back to rejoin its parent division, the brigade was simply reflagged as a division of the 4th Infantry Division while a brigade of the 4th was reflagged as the 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division. I guessing Col. Wear commanded the 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division when it became a brigade of the 4th.

[patches]

Thanks again Sean, keep these updates coming.

[patches]

FRANCIS J. RUDDY

 

 

Just came across this GI, Green Berets, Frank Ruddy, in WWII, 17th Abn Div, Korea 187th RCT, Vietnam, two tours, a early tour there, and the 1st Bde 101st Abn Div. Ruddy was on JFK Burial Detail, and it was he who placed his Beret on his grave.

 

 

An additional photo of Ruddy, here in 1964 with McNamara.

 

 

An extensive page on him with unit bios.

 

https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=277896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[seanmc1114]

275. TUTWILER, Guy I.

 

In WWII, 41st Infantry Division, Regt?.

 

In Korea 2nd Infantry Division.

 

In Vietnam 9th Infantry Division

 

His complete bio with some photos of him.

 

http://www.9thinfantrydivision.com/html/tutwiler1.htm

 

Tutwiler in 1959 with his 1959 Bio.

tutweiler0004.jpgttutwilers_bio0010.jpg

 

[seanmc1114]

Unknown Command Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army Europe on the right wearing a triple CIB, Master Parachutist Badge with two combat jump stars and Pathfinder Badge on his sleeve. This photo appears in Shelby Stanton's "U.S. Army Uniforms Of The Cold War". The photo caption gives the date as September 1968 and indicates they are senior NCO's of the 555th Engineer Group. It seems odd to me that a three war infantryman would be given such a senior position in an engineer unit.

[patches]

Unknown Command Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army Europe on the right wearing a triple CIB, Master Parachutist Badge with two combat jump stars and Pathfinder Badge on his sleeve. This photo appears in Shelby Stanton's "U.S. Army Uniforms Of The Cold War". The photo caption gives the date as September 1968 and indicates they are senior NCO's of the 555th Engineer Group. It seems odd to me that a three war infantryman would be given such a senior position in an engineer unit.

Already got that guy Sean.

 

See post #109 with the follow up post #307.

[Baron3-6]

Unknown Command Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army Europe on the right wearing a triple CIB, Master Parachutist Badge with two combat jump stars and Pathfinder Badge on his sleeve. This photo appears in Shelby Stanton's "U.S. Army Uniforms Of The Cold War". The photo caption gives the date as September 1968 and indicates they are senior NCO's of the 555th Engineer Group. It seems odd to me that a three war infantryman would be given such a senior position in an engineer unit.

 

Technically, CSM is a branch/MOS immaterial position. Hence why the CSM rank wears a US Army Eagle as a collar device, rather than the branch they came up through.

 

You could serve in any type of unit as the Senior Enlisted Advisor. Generally, you only see CSM's with combat Arms backgrounds in combat arms units....but Combat Arms CSM's (especially at levels higher than BN, like an EN Group), do serve in this capacity in supporting units from time to time.

 

The CSM could also be from the next higher HQ and just attending a ceremony at the EN GP HQ...looks like the other CSM is an Engineer by his 18 EN BDE combat patch.

[patches]

Chester R. Westervelt.

 

Another potential as Westervelt was in 65-66 Sgt Maj of the 1st Cav Div, no other info on him as to WWII or Korea.

 

Zoom in on photo to see 2nd Award of CIB and WWII and Korea ribbons, in this 1964 photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[patches]

16. BERRY, William T.

 

Like so many listees, all I could find is an Obit.

 

 

http://articles.courant.com/2008-12-30/news/obit_2259502v1d1230_1_mr-berry-thomas-berry-medals

Photo update for Berry, William T., photo from 1965 at the Command and General Staff College Ft Leavenworth. Berry evidently by this time already earned his Third CIB as an Advisor, curious enough, he's not wearing the ribbon for Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the medal the early advisers got for service there. We also see he was an enlistedman, and so he was, seen his listing in the officer register, came in in September 1944, as he has two campaign stars on his campaign ribbon (can't tell if it's an ETO or a A&P) means he made it over in the late period of combat, like say February on. (Also now noticing his Obit link we see in no longer online).

 

[patches]

A photo update for Clark, Herbert E.

 

tclark_1965_1st_bn_501_inf0004.jpg

This from the 101 yearbook of 1965, 1/501st EXEC.

One more Photo Update for Clark, Herbert E, here in 1964.

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59. CROWLEY, Edwin K

 

No info.

Photo Update for Crowley, Edwin K, here in 1964, still no info on him.

 

[patches]

Arthur D. Stilgall

 

Found this officer Arthur D. Stigall, Lieutenant Colonel C.O. 1st Battalion 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, KIA Vietnam 7 November 1967, came in as a EM in September 1944, no Info on WWII or Korea units. so one more 3rd Award CIB.

 

 

Here he is on Faculty at the Command & General Staff College with his WWII and Korea rack in 1964.

 

https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=BattleMemoryExt&ID=187767

 

Upon his death he was posthumously promoted to Full Colonel.

 

 

As usual the CIB graphic is only the 1st Award of the CIB.

 

https://www.virtualwall.org/ds/StigallAD01a.htm

 

Col Stigall went down in a Blaze of Glory.

 

Citation:Distinguished Service Cross

 

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Arthur Donald Stigall (0-69805), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Stigall distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 November 1967 while leading two of his infantry companies on a search and destroy mission near Loc Ninh. Moving through an abandoned rubber plantation, his entire force was suddenly subjected to intensely savage claymore, small arms, and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Both companies sustained heavy casualties in the initial moments of the attack by the well-concealed enemy. Colonel Stigall positioned his command post between the two companies and established maximum control of the defensive actions of his troops. His position was then subjected to vicious Viet Cong fire and he was shot through the knee. Courageously ignoring his wound he initiated skillful, determined counter-fire against the enemy. When he received word that one of his company commanders had been wounded, he immediately assumed the direction of that company by radio. Enemy fire destroyed his radio and he repeatedly exposed himself to the ravaging hostile fire to direct his troops by voice as he searched for another radio. An exploding Viet Cong rocket knocked him to the ground. He again stood up in the deadly hail of fire, and when he saw a radio operator nearby, he ran toward his position, firing at the advancing enemy with his pistol until he received a mortal wound. His continual display of courage and determination was responsible for his men's coordinated and effective reaction to the insurgent attack and undoubtedly saved many of his comrades' lives. Lieutenant Colonel Stigall's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6216 (December 2, 1967)

Home Town: Chase, Louisiana