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name
ATCHLEY, John Edgar - Date of
birth
14 December 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Madison County, Alabama -
Hometown
Lincoln County, Tennessee
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34505971 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
H Company,
3rd Battalion,
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division
-
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
3 January 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicnity of Fosse, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 12 | 8 |
More information
Pfc John E. Atchley enlisted at Fort Oglehorpe, Georgia on 1 January 1943.He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 7 June 1944, in France. When the enemy counterattacked with tanks in the vicinity of Ste. Mere Eglise, one of the very few anti-tank guns at the disposal of the defending force had been put out of action due to the fact that most of the members of its crew were casualties. As the enemy tanks approached, Pvt Atchley despite the fact that he had never previously fired an antitank gun, left his place of cover and fearlessky moved over to man the gun. Although without aid, Pvt Atchley's second shot destroyed one of the advancing tanks, whereupon the other tanks turned about and retreated. The courage daring and complete disregard for his life displayed by Pvt Atchley reflects great credit on himself and is keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.archives.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ww2-airborne.us, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Headstone and Interment Record
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Townsend-Mission-Command III