"ATTEN-HUT!" 76th Division 1st Sergeant marches into the collection!

[carbinephalen]

1st SGT E. Chamberlain was born in 1920 in Greeneville, Tennessee and lived there his entire life. He enlisted in the United States Army on August 8th 1942. Upon completing his basic training, he quickly rose through the ranks obtaining the TOP enlisted spot in HQ-Co, 417th Regiment, of the 76th Infantry Division. SGT Chamberlain was awarded three battle stars for Campaigns in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe, a Bronze Star for meritorious service, and also (along with the rest of the 1st Battalion, 417th Infantry), the Distinguished Unit Citation. After the 76th Division was deactivated, he was assigned to the 90th Division and stayed in the ETO for Occupation Duties. He was discharged in January of 1946. He later went on to open up a sheet metal shop in Greeneville. He passed away in 1999

 

 

 

 

 

 

[S1991]

Great jacket my friend! I love the way how you find so much information regarding the veterans.

The jacket sure did find a great home!

[carbinephalen]

Thanks Silvano! I just attempt to keep up with you and your 26th Collection!

 

More on this brave 76th-er, including the text of the Distinguished Unit Citation, can be read here!

 

http://76thdivisioncollection.blogspot.com/2013/12/417th-hq-co-1st-sergeant-uniform.html

[carbinephalen]

The 417th Distinguished Unit Citation:

 

"Members of this combat team led an assault across the swollen Sauer River into one of the deepest portions of the Siegfried Line. The river was at flood stage, the current so swift that attempts by engineers to erect a footbridge proved futile, and the crossing had to be made in assault boats. The alerted enemy covered the area with heavy artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire. Many of the boats were overturned before reaching the far shore and heavy casualties were suffered. Despite all difficulties, the major portion of the 1st Battalion, 417th Infantry Regiment, succeeded in making the crossing on the first night. Under heavy fire, members of this battalion scaled the muddy, steep, pillbox infested cliffs, whose every approach was heavily sown with mine fields, and succeeded in capturing the high wooded ground near the river bank. Two strong infantry counterattacks, supported by armor, were launched by the enemy, but both were repulsed after bitter encounters. Although this was the combat teams first engagement in combat, the 1st Battalion was the only unit in this vicinity to reach its objective on its initial assault and hold the ground gained. By similar aggressive action, the remainder of the 417th Infantry Regiment made the river crossing on the second and third nights and established contact with the initial force. The swiftly flowing river prevented supplies being crossed by boat and it became necessary to supply isolated groups by air. Despite violent enemy attempts to dislodge it, the combat team held tenaciously to the bridgehead it had wrested within the Siegfried Line and secured a strong foothold, which facilitated the movement of other forces across the river and insured the success of an operation of major importance. In its initial appearance in combat and in the face of conditions which at times appeared prohibitive, the 417th Regimental Combat Team displayed outstanding heroism. determination, and an indomitable fighting spirit which reflect great credit on all participants and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States."

[Ricardo]

Very nice uniform!!

[BEAST]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing his history.

[carbinephalen]

Thanks guys! It's a labor of love that's for sure. Identifiable uniforms are popping up less and less nowadays!

[S1991]

Once again you amaze me with the research you have done!

That citation is pretty interesting to read!

Thanks for sharing.

[Timberwolf]

Looks great bro! I was ecstatic when I saw that on ebay and I knew I had to let you know, happy it made it's way to a good home!

[TRR]

Wow, you do a great job of telling the Soldier's story and your display is always top-notch. Thanks for sharing.

[carbinephalen]

Thanks for your interest gentleman! I know sometimes my posts can be rather monotonous (I.e. always pertaining to the 76th) but it is always nice to add another ID'd Onaway to the collection!

[Benjamin]

As always, this is a great uniform with an excellent research work and display ! If you call this montony, well, then it becomes a quality for sure !

Congrats and thanks for sharing !

 

Ben

[carbinephalen]

It fits nicely in the 76th collection!

 

Believe it or not Ben, out of 10 ID'd uniforms, FIVE of the men were in the same Battalion in the same Regiment! What are the odds of that?!

[Benjamin]

Wow, that's really curious ! I think it's quite cool to have uniforms or items from men that may have seen/known each other and fought together. Like reuniting old brothers in arms.

[carbinephalen]

It is very cool to look around my room and know that most likely, some of these uniforms were together once before 70 years ago!

[carbinephalen]

Just to show that new intel is emerging daily on our veterans, I was able to find this photo of C H A M B E R L A I N and his wife from their wedding in 1946 on Ancestry. THE UNIFORM I own in a 70 year old photo. Just incredible. It appears from the DI's that he was transferred to the 358th Regiment in the 90th after his time with the 76th.

 

I had previously mistaken the man in the first photo for him. It was from his company photo at the end of the war so I thought it had to be him.

 

Keep digging everybody, there is still stuff to uncover!