Company H, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", US Army
Awarded on: July 1st, 1944
Awarded for: Operation Detroit
Action: Citation:
"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 antitank 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, Private Atchley despite the fact that he had never previously fired an antitank gun, left his place of cover and fearlessly moved over to man the gun. Although without aid, Private 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 Private Atchley reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. Entered military service from Alabama."
Details: General Orders No.31, Headquarters, First U.S. Army (July 1, 1944).
~
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Awarded on: July 1st, 1944
Awarded for: Operation Detroit
Action: Citation:
"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 antitank 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, Private Atchley despite the fact that he had never previously fired an antitank gun, left his place of cover and fearlessly moved over to man the gun. Although without aid, Private 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 Private Atchley reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. Entered military service from Alabama."
Details: General Orders No.31, Headquarters, First U.S. Army (July 1, 1944).
~
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Company H, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", US Army
Awarded on: July 1st, 1944
Awarded for: Operation Detroit
Action: Citation:
"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 antitank 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, Private Atchley despite the fact that he had never previously fired an antitank gun, left his place of cover and fearlessly moved over to man the gun. Although without aid, Private 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 Private Atchley reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. Entered military service from Alabama."
Details: General Orders No.31, Headquarters, First U.S. Army (July 1, 1944).
~
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Awarded on: July 1st, 1944
Awarded for: Operation Detroit
Action: Citation:
"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 antitank 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, Private Atchley despite the fact that he had never previously fired an antitank gun, left his place of cover and fearlessly moved over to man the gun. Although without aid, Private 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 Private Atchley reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. Entered military service from Alabama."
Details: General Orders No.31, Headquarters, First U.S. Army (July 1, 1944).
~
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Inscription
PFC 505 PRCHT INF 82ND ABN DIV
TENNESSEE
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Tennessee.
Family Members
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