Today our walk was dedicated in honor of:
WWII Army Veteran Charles Henry Coolidge, Age 99 of Chattanooga, TN.
Died Apr. 6, 2021
He is buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery
Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest decoration for valor, for his heroism in France during the Second World War. He graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1939 and later worked at his father’s printing business. On June 16, 1942, he was drafted into the United States Army and received his basic training at Fort McClellan in Alabama. After basic training, he was sent to both Camp Butner in North Carolina and Camp Edwards in Massachusetts and assigned to M Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. His unit later saw action in both North Africa and Italy, where he earned a Silver Star for gallantry in action. In October of 1944, his unit was in France, where he found himself, unexpectedly as the senior enlisted man, leading a group of young recruits against a German infantry. He and his outnumbered troops were in a standoff with the Germans and he wouldn’t back down. He dodged German tanks, hiding behind tree trunks, tossing hand grenades along the way. During the battle, he and his men killed 26 enemy soldiers, wounding 60 others. He was the first to approach the Germans, and the last to leave. For his bravery during the battle, he earned the Medal of Honor. After the war, he went back to live in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he was honored with a highway and park named after him. He also continued working at his family’s printing business.
We had a great 6.16 Mile walk today. We walked by Lake Holiday and then headed up to the War Memorial Park down town. The weather was perfect. What a beautiful day. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today. I want to thank all those that honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 133 honks today.
WWII Army Veteran Charles Henry Coolidge will not be forgotten !
