SILENT BUT DEADLY 101st Airborne, Five-O-Deuce Colonel Silent - TopicsExpress

SILENT BUT DEADLY 101st Airborne, Five-O-Deuce Colonel Silent Steve Chappuis was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on January 14, 1945 for extraordinary heroism in for his military operations against the armed Germans while serving as Commanding Officer of the 502nd PIR on December 25, 1944, in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium. My father, David C. Tharp was Colonel Chappuis radio operator, a recipient of 2 Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star Medal, 4 battle campaign stars & two Presidential Unit Citations for Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Dads wartime letters are now preserved in COMES A SOLDIERS WHISPER, a collection of wartime letters with reflection and hope for the future with sentiments that resonate with our soldiers today. Although dad passed away in 1999, his memory will live on forever. During the siege of Bastogne by overwhelming enemy forces, Colonel Chappius (see photo) commanded a regiment of the defending 101st Airborne Division. When the enemy launched a fierce attack with strong infantry and armored forces in a supreme effort to seize the town, Colonel Chappius mustered all available cooks, drivers and orderlies to augment his depleted, widely deployed troops and skillfully maneuvered his forces to meet the attack. Under his courageous, inspiring leadership his men held, repulsing every attempt by the enemy to penetrate the lines. He repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to direct his troops effectively and personally reconnoitered enemy infested territory, completely disregarding his own safety. The heroic, inspiring leadership of Colonel Chappius, and his personal courage and supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army. Colonel Chappuis passed away August 19, 2008 leaving his brave record of excellence and heroism for the history books. Jim Norene, his driver went to Normandy, France in June 2009 for the 65th anniversary of D-Day. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and died in his sleep before returning back to the states on June 5, 2009. May these honored Screaming Eagles soar the skies and watch over our soldiers of today. Sending our eternal salute of gratitude to these men and all the men and women who continue to protect our freedom today. FOLLOW US & SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & STORIES: https://facebook/ComesASoldiersWhisper ComesASoldiersWhisper https://twitter/Jennylas Photo Source: Orange is the Color of the Day d-day-publishing/