Chaplin, O 4. Commander of Company L, 2. Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 1. October 1. 94. 4 in Aachen, Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. Born on 2. July 1. January 1. 94. 2 from Altoona, Pennsylvania. His first Bronze Star was awarded for heroic achievements in military operations against the enemy near Hambye, Normandy, France on 3. July 1. 94. 4. The citation continues, When his company encountered heavy enemy opposition and a number of men were seriously wounded while protecting engineers constructing a bridge, Captain Chaplin skillfully maneuvered his unit into a more advantageous position and, with effective rifle fire, repulsed the hostile attack. Chaplin continued his outstanding leadership on Love Company throughout the summer and fall of 1. Unit Commendation on 1. December 1. 94. 4 for actions with the 3rd Platoon, Company C, 7. Microsoft Word Right To Left Hebrew Letters there. Tank Battalion on 3 September 1. Avesnes, France when the units, drove through an enemy flank guard and contacted a hostile motorized and horse drawn column north of La Lougueville, France. The tanks and infantry quickly deployed and completely destroyed the enemy column, and later, upon encountering a larger force, aggressively engaged the enemy troops and dispersed them throughout the countryside. Chaplins final action took place at Aachen, Germany when the 1st Infantry Division assaulted the city defended by the German 2. Infantry Division. Love Company attacked the suburbs of Aachen on 8 October, 1. Brandenhof and continued to move into Aachen on 1. October, clearing out German strong points in house to house fighting in the Factory District near Rosenthal Observation Hill. On 1. October, the Germans launched a severe counterattack of infantry and armor towards Love and Item Companies which turned into bloody hand to hand fighting. Attack after attack of four German tanks one of which was a Tiger and infantry piled up against Love Company until the enemy withdrew at 1. The 3rd Battalion Commander reported that L Company saved the day. The Germans attacked Love Company again at 0. October which was occupying ground on the left side of the tower on Observatory Hill. The attack lasted most of the morning and the enemy was pushed back after all 3rd Battalion reserves had been committed to the battle. As the enemy was pushed back Love Company followed the enemy and overran a German 1. Mortar position. It was during this attack that Captain Chaplin was mortally wounded by German mortar fire around 1. For this action, Capt. Chaplin was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal. The citation reads, Despite heavy mortar fire, Captain Chaplin moved fearlessly about exposed ground and directed the successful defense of a tactically important terrain feature. In the performance of his heroic mission, Captain Chaplin was mortally wounded. Captain Chaplin is buried at the Henri Chapelle American Cemetery, Henri Chapelle, Belgium. He was 2. 7 years old. Capt. Chaplin seated on left in Aachen, Germany in October 1. Video clip from WW2 Across France with Jack H. Lieb 1. 94. 4, on You.
Serial Battlefield 1942 The Road To Rome© 2017