Charles Henry Coolidge (1921 - 2021)

Born 4 Aug 1921 in Signal Mountain, Hamilton, Tennessee, USA

Ancestors

Died 6 Apr 2021 at age 99 in Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, USA

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Biography

Charles Coolidge was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Charles Coolidge was awarded the Silver Star Medal.

Charles Coolidge was awarded the Légion d'honneur.

Tech Sgt. Charles Coolidge served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: June 16, 1942
Unit(s): 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division
Service ended: 1945

Charles Coolidge was drafted into the United States Army on June 16, 1942, then he received basic training at Fort McClellan in Alabama. He was later assigned to M Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment of the historic 36th Infantry Division (Texas Army National Guard). In April, 1943, his unit was sent to North Africa to prepare for the eventual invasion of Europe. While serving as a machine gun section leader and sergeant, Coolidge received the Silver Star for gallantry during action in Italy on May 31, 1944. By October 24, 1944, he was in charge of a group of machine-gunners and riflemen of M Company. They were to hold a vital hilltop position near the German border. During four days of attacks at Hill 623 near Belmont-sur-Buttant in France, Coolidge and his group held off numerous enemy infantrymen, plus two tanks. One tank fired five separate rounds directly at Coolidge unsuccessfully. For his actions above and beyond the call of duty there,

Coolidge was presented the Medal of Honor by Lieutenant General Wade H. Haislip at an airfield near Dornstadt, Germany on June 18. Much later, on September 15, 2006, Coolidge was awarded the Legion of Honour by officials of the French Consulate at a ceremony in Coolidge Park (named for Charles Coolidge in 1945).

In the first source below, more details appear regarding the amazing episode that occurred on October 27. When the German infantry, supported by 2 tanks, swept the area with small arms, machinegun, and tank fire, T/Sgt. Coolidge armed himself with a bazooka and advanced to within 25 yards of the tanks. The bazooka failed to function, so he threw it aside. Taking all the hand grenades he could carry, he crawled forward and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy. Finally with great coolness and courage, Charles Coolidge conducted an orderly withdrawal, being the last to leave the position.

Coolidge married Frances Seepe in 1945. They remained married for 64 years until her death in 2009. Together, they had three children: John, William, and Charles, who is a retired Lt. Gen. in the U.S. Air Force.

Coolidge died on April 6, 2021 in Chattanooga at the age of 99. He had suffered from multiple sclerosis in the final 50 years of his life. He was interred at Chattanooga National Cemetery beside his wife.

Sources

https://www.army.mil/article/237302/the_hero_of_signal_mountain_the_armys_last_world_war_ii_medal_of_honor_recipient

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Coolidge

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225396340/charles-henry-coolidge