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


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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.

 

 

attachicon.gifstigall.jpg

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.

 

attachicon.gifstigall 2.jpg

 

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

 

 

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Here's Stigall in 1963 with CIB Number 2, though an amendment on entry date must be made, entry date 7 February 1945, we see he was in the Pacific, and his A&P ribbon has one Campaign Star, so probably got the CIB during mop up action in the summer of 1945 out there, most likely in the Philippines.

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Christian F. Dubia

 

One more I should say, Dubia, WWII and Korean War units unknown was in Vietnam the C.O. of the 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry 8th Cavalry Division December 1967-April 1968, no more info on him at all, he might be still alive as of this writing.

 

post-34986-0-51986300-1556292539.jpg

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

265. TAYLOR, William W.,Jr.

 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=167157955

 

TAYLOR, William W.,Jr. we found out at least was C.O. of the 1st Battalion 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division 1967-68, no other unit info for WWII Korea.

 

http://www.cacti35th.org/regiment/history/orlls/3bde/orll_3bd_43068_1to5.htm

Photo update for Taylor, William W.Jr, here in 1964.

 

post-34986-0-90365300-1557540192.jpg

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  • 4 weeks later...

123. HOWLAND, Gilbert H.

 

Howland was in Merrill's Marauders in WWII

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160827_At_Liberty_Bell__WWII__Merrill_s_Marauders__soldiers_gather_one_last_time.html

 

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/article158768264.html

 

He still with us and was just inducted in to the Ranger Hall of Fame.

 

June 30 2017

The inductees to be honored are: Chaplain Jeffery D. Struecker, Sgt. Maj. Tyrone J. Adderly, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank G. Ashe, 1st Sgt. Herbert M. Baugh, 1st Sgt. Ronald W. Grenier, Master Sgt. Gilbert H. Howland, Staff Sgt. Ronnie N. Imel, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard C. Lamb, Maj. Larry D. Moores, Brig. Gen. James C. Nixon, U.S. Navy Lt. Thomas R. Norris, Master Sgt. Leroy A. Petry, 1st Sgt. Michael J. Ramsey, Sgt Maj. John W. Roy, Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Thompson, Lt. Gen. John R. Vines and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew C. Walker.

Howland is still going strong as of 24 May 2019:

https://rebootcamp.militarytimes.com/news/transition/2019/05/24/wwii-era-merrills-marauders-veterans-reflect-on-burma-campaigns-75th-anniversary/

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  • 1 month later...

281. WALLACE, Albert L.

 

Found his info in the May 1969 issue of Army Digest, Albert Lee Wallace, an African American, started out in the Transportation Corps, in France he switches to Infantry.

 

In WWII, 5th Platoon 310th Infantry 78th Infantry Division.

 

In Korea Co A 27th Infantry 25th Infantry Division.

 

In Vietnam, two tours, 1st Sergeant, 4th Battalion 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division company unknown, and a Sergeant Major, II Field Force Vietnam.

 

 

attachicon.gifwi.jpg

Wallace in 1965 in one of the battalions of the 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division Ft Lewis Washington.

 

attachicon.giftwallace.jpg

On that second tour in 1969.

Another photo of SGM Wallace showing his CIB with two stars.

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Another photo of SGM Wallace showing his CIB with two stars.

Fantastic find Sean, looks like another photo taken at the same time as the one I posted when he was In Country in 1969

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  • 2 months later...

105. GRANGE, David E.,Jr.

 

attachicon.gifphplh8JZcPM.jpgattachicon.gifp.txt.jpg

 

 

 

 

attachicon.gifFort Benning 1979.jpg

The oft talked about David Grange Jr and his late 70s direct embroidered Tapes and Qualification badges and Stars on his fatiques.

 

He's still with us at 91 years of age. He was at Benning when I went through in Jan-April 80 for Basic and AIT.

 

attachicon.gifgrange3rdbde.jpg

As 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) in 1971.

 

 

 

 

http://old.506infantry.org/his2id/hiskoreaarticle11.html

General Grange in Vietnam as CO of the 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne Division with his son David, who served with Company L 75th Infantry (Ranger) 101st Airborne Division. David had just been released from the hospital after being wounded in action.

post-1761-0-90852900-1569587143_thumb.jpg

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General Grange in Vietnam as CO of the 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne Division with his son David, who served with Company L 75th Infantry (Ranger) 101st Airborne Division. David had just been released from the hospital after being wounded in action.

Great find Sean.

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WALTER J. SABALAUSKI

 

http://arlingtoncemetery.net/sabalauski.htm

 

His WWII campaigns list Guadalcanal, "The Solomon Islands" Which I take it to mean either New Georgia or Bouganville, and the Philippines, so a good guess was he was either in the 25th Infantry Division or the Americal Division.

 

Was in the 25th Infantry Division as well as the 187th RCT in Korea, perhaps serving in Japan with the 187th RCT when they were withdrawn from Korea in the 1952-53 period, because he shows up as a casualty in the 25th Infantry Division's 35th Infantry in may 1951.

 

Name

Walter Salbalauski
Service Number
RA36034325
Home State
Illinois
Home County
Cook
Component
USA Regular Army
Troop
Infantry Division - 25th
Troop Element
In Div Inf Regt
Unit
0035
Specialty
Light Weapons Assault Crewman or Light Weapons Infantry Leader
Rank
Sergeant First Class
Branch
Infantry
Place Casualty
South Korea
Date Casualty
05/20/1951
Casualty Type
Returned to Duty FECOM (Far East Command)
Details
Seriously Wounded in Action by Missile, Returned to Duty FECOM
Disposition Place
Japan
Disposition Date
06/27/1951

 

Sablalauski served two tours in vietnam. first in 1965-66 as 1st Sergeant Company C, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. And then as 2nd Battalion 502nd Infantry's Sergeant Major.

 

attachicon.gif4dc2eec1.jpg

Award ceremony for the Distinguished Service Cross for actions during Operation Hawthorne

https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=4650

 

post-34986-1340343192.jpg

 

With Paul Huff MOH Sergeant Major 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division circa early 1968 (a time before the new rank insignia's started to be worn for the E-9 rank of Command Sergeant Major in April -May 1968) in Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

A couple of more pictures of the Sergeant Major

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post-1761-0-46745300-1569963858.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

25. BROUSSARD, Lawless, Sr.

 

No info.

Update

 

I think this might be Broussard, dates certainly match, 1921-2012, and he poses with a VFW Garrison Cap, but curiously no mention whatsoever on his service which is strange in my estimation given his status of being in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

 

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvertiser/obituary.aspx?n=lawless-broussard&pid=155820287&fhid=10577

 

Yep, lets make that definite, found he was in the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division in WWII, no other info on Korea or Vietnam.

 

84847162_1411940347.jpg

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The two Browns.

 

26. BROWN, JAMES C.

 

27. BROWN, Lewis E.

 

No info.

Update

 

Found some info on at least Brown, Lewis E. was in from 1943 till 1976, seems he was a Green Beret in Vietnam, the sites below mention his being in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, but that's about all, no mention of WWII or Korean War outfits.

 

https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=AssignmentExt&ID=336466

 

https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=AssignmentExt&ID=336479

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Update for Brewer

 

attachicon.gifsergeant-first-class-d-c-brewer.gif

 

 

D.C. Brewer

Sergeant First Class D.C. Brewer, U.S. Army (1926-2007), enlisted in 1943 and served in World War II. His first action against the enemy German forces was the Normandy, France invasion: D-Day 6 June 1944, with the 193rd Glider Infantry Regiment. He was wounded and received his first of three Purple Hearts.

 

During his career he served in the Korea and Vietnam Wars; and was assigned to the Dominican Republic serving in various units to include the 101st and 17th Airborne Divisions; 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, and 1st, 2nd and 5th Special Forces.

 

He served in the U.S. Army Third Infantry Regiment: The Old Guard, Fort Meyer and Arlington Cemetery, Virginia. His awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal and three Purple Hearts. He was awarded the Venezuelan Medal of Honor, the only foreign serviceman to receive that honor.

 

He retired in 1966. After retirement, and because of the frigid weather in Europe during World War II, he eventually lost both legs to amputation.

Going through this, there's clearly a error here, neglected to notice this glaring discrepancy first time around, but note says D-Day, but unit as the 193rd GIR, 193rd GIR was in te 17th Abn Div, so either he was inne of the GIR's of the 82nd or 101, and transferred out into the 17th when that division arrived on the continent, or he was always i the 17th and the D-Day is in error. I might be inclined to think the latter, as his birthdate is sometime in 1926.

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66. DAVIS, Loren E.

No info

Update

 

Davis, Loren E.

61396555_1417873983.jpg

 

Davis as a young LT in the 14th Infantry, 71st Infantry Division, he serves with the 71st Inf Div in the ETO and was awarded the Purple Heat in 1945.

 

Scroll down to see a depiction of the 3rd Award Combat Infantryman Badge.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61396555/loren-everett-davis

 

 

 

In Korea, he serves, at least initially in a 8th Army Civil Affairs unit. I'm imagining he goes to a Line Unit afterwards, no info unfortunately on Vietnam.

 

https://www.soc.mil/ARSOF_History/articles/v6n1_do_what_you_can_page_1.html

 

According to one of his listings in the O Register, 1964 and 65, he becomes a Armor officer in 1953, can't confirm it, but in all probability as an Armor Officer (Ex Infantry Officer) with an Civil Affairs background, he may have earned the 3rd Award as a MACV Advisor in the 62-64 period, as Davis apparently retires sometime in 1965, he drops off the register by 1966.

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106. GRAVES, William F.

 

 

No Info

Update

 

Graves has a OBIT on the Washinton Post, but you have to pay to see it, mentions before the page closes and a pay notice shows, that he was arwarded the Three CIBs.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/

 

He was in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, regiment unknown, here was a page that listed hid G.O. for his Bronze Star, but site is no longer up.

 

 

MAJ William F Graves - Award BS* - 2nd Infantry Division - Korea ...
General Order 052-53 - William F Graves - Second Indianhead Division - Korean War. From the National Archives Command Report record set at College Park, ...
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  • 2 weeks later...

111. HARBIN, Darwin D.

 

Couldn't find anything other than he was a Lt Col.

Update on Korea, did find Harbin was in the 38th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division, and was wounded Sept 22 1950. as a 1st Lieutenant, presumably he was an EM in WWII got out and went to school for bit, coming back in as a officer, units in WWII and Vietnam still unknown.

 

Curious conflicting info from his Find a Grave and his O Register listing (I checked the 1968 one, He's got a Regular Commission by then), in the FaG his serial number given does not match his O Register, FaG gives it as O-1305578, the O Regiter gives it as O-0080836, could he ave been given a new serial number from when he was first commissioned in 1948, presumably in either a AUS or Reserve Commission, maybe when he got a Regular Commission??? And neither do his entitlement entry dates, FaG gives Enlistment Date 1: 24 Dec 1942 - 11 Jan 1946 and then, Enlistment Date 2: 6 Dec 1948 - 30 Sep 1973, his O Register gives 28 May 1939, his commission is nearly spot on in the Register though, gives a date of 6 Dec 1948.

 

 

3993891_137312783065.jpg

 

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179. MICHIENZI, James.

 

James A Michienzi also know as Jacque. Was in the 513th PIR, 17th Abn Div in WWII.

 

 

attachicon.gif140502-A-ID000-002.JPG

 

 

In the 3rd Inf Div in Korea, and 1st Inf Div in Vietnam.

 

 

attachicon.gifMichienzi.jpg

Michienzi in Vietnam CO 2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

 

His awards for Vietnam a DSC and below it the SS for Korea

http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=4812

 

 

 

attachicon.gif140429-A-EO684-002.JPG

In April 2014 at 95th annual Officers of the 1st Infantry Division Ball in Alexandria, Virginia.

A couple of recent items of Jacque.

 

A video in 2015

 

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article22154043.html

post-34986-0-05979500-1575950446_thumb.jpgpost-34986-0-65106400-1575950467.jpg

 

 

And this photo of him in June of this year in Normandy, though as a member of the 513th PIR,17th Abn Div he would not of been in on D-Day, Col Michienzi was a guest of honor at the D-Day ceremonies.

post-34986-0-40563400-1575950487_thumb.jpg

 

Still alive at 95.

post-34986-0-92548900-1575950477_thumb.jpg

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  • 4 weeks later...

145. LEAN, Carlos E., Jr.

 

No Info

A TYPO on my part when I posted this entry, should be LEAL rather than LEAN.

 

 

post-34986-0-59583100-1577939988_thumb.jpg

A photo and unit Update for Leal, who was a Green Beret photo. One source below says in the 507th Parachute Infantry in the 82nd Abn Div in WWII, if he remained in the 507th then he would of finished up in the 17th Abn Div, however he's not listed in the 507th PIR Roster that available, so perhaps he was in one of the other regiments of the 82nd? Also says the 187th RCT in Korea, and SF in Vietnam.

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=l2uEZ3RLI3YC&pg=PP369&lpg=PP369&dq=carlos+e.+leal+korean+war&source=bl&ots=Gn7Ns37f98&sig=ACfU3U37qDn_z3gmp4XaIeaNsqTvPoaL4Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid8LO3jeTmAhVtUN8KHenMCzwQ6AEwA3oECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=carlos%20e.%20leal%20korean%20war&f=false

 

He dies in Thailand in 1972, and is not listed a a Vietnam War Fatality, Combat or Otherwise, he dies in a jump accident there.

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A TYPO on my part when I posted this entry, should be LEAL rather than LEAN.

 

 

attachicon.giflealk.jpg

A photo and unit Update for Leal, who was a Green Beret photo. One source below says in the 507th Parachute Infantry in the 82nd Abn Div in WWII, if he remained in the 507th then he would of finished up in the 17th Abn Div, however he's not listed in the 507th PIR Roster that available, so perhaps he was in one of the other regiments of the 82nd? Also says the 187th RCT in Korea, and SF in Vietnam.

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=l2uEZ3RLI3YC&pg=PP369&lpg=PP369&dq=carlos+e.+leal+korean+war&source=bl&ots=Gn7Ns37f98&sig=ACfU3U37qDn_z3gmp4XaIeaNsqTvPoaL4Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid8LO3jeTmAhVtUN8KHenMCzwQ6AEwA3oECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=carlos%20e.%20leal%20korean%20war&f=false

 

He dies in Thailand in 1972, and is not listed a a Vietnam War Fatality, Combat or Otherwise, he dies in a jump accident there.

The Roster for the 507th PIR

 

A PDF

www.usairborne.be › Roster › ROSTER-507PIR

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  • 1 month later...
The photo caption reads: “Fort Lawton, Washington, 1967: Retirement review honoring Major General C. F. Leonard (Command of X US Army Corps). SGM Gil Hendricks is pictured shaking hands with MG Leonard.”
His record on togetherweserved.com indicates he served from 1948 to 1968, and served in Korea and Vietnam earning two CIB's, but it sure looks like he has two stars on his CIB.
Also note that he is Special Forces - at the time of the picture he was assigned to the 12th Special Forces Group - but he is wearing a service cap rather than a green beret.

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

 

278. VENABLE, Joseph A.

 

In WWII, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.

 

In Korea 5th RCT.

 

attachicon.gif venable.jpg

Venable in the early 60s.

 

attachicon.gif 246913.jpg

And right before Vietnam service

 

553664.jpg

 

 

Venable as we know was killed in Vietnam along with Maj Gen Keith Ware when his helicopter was shot down on September 13 1968, Venable was the 1st Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major.

 

post-2876-0-92265500-1583211568_thumb.jpg

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Perhaps another missing name from the 3rd award roster? Didn't find mention of him elsewhere on the forum, quick internet search shows him wearing a 2nd award CIB in March 1968, so maybe he rotated into Vietnam and earned the 3rd award towards the end of the war as the CSM of 199th LIB later in 1968? CSM Othon O. Valent

post-2876-0-04978200-1583212668_thumb.jpg

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Thanks for this ever important addition Sivart. Othon O. Valent as he's painted in this portrait with the 3rd Award makes it in our view, Official, one more to add to the list of undocumented 3rd Award holders, and his bio tells us that

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=Dbcup2ALFroC&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=Command+sergeant+major+Othon+O.+Valent&source=bl&ots=2umvU-i1lH&sig=ACfU3U2qiPpTQ96IaOWaA-u0Xqkdty0jDA&hl=en&ppis=_c&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiYoJ_wyf3nAhXNlHIEHcENCtEQ6AEwBnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Command%20sergeant%20major%20Othon%20O.%20Valent&f=false

 

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119175016/othon-o-valent

 

 

He at one point thee Sergeant Major of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea

SGM Othon O. Valent May 1966

September 1967

 

 

He doesn't show up in the Korean War Causality list, so he probably wounded in WWII.

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