Navy Federal Credit Union

Tildon McGee was born and raised in Mississippi, and was subsequently ordained as a Baptist minister. In 1941 he entered military service as a U. S. Army Chaplain, and after parachute training was assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he parachuted with the men of his regiment inland of Utah beach and well beyond enemy lines. After earning the Distinguished Service Cross in the first four days of the Normandy Invasion, he was captured in Holland on September 28, 1944, and held as a prisoner of war until May 1945. Returning home to Mississippi, he married Mary Emma Bullock, a native of nearby Brandon, Mississippi, in 1946. The couple then moved to California where McGee enrolled in graduate studies at the University of California. Upon retirement, and their children now married and living on their own, the couple returned to Brandon where they had a small farm, producing vegetables in such abundance that they gave them away to family, friends, and strangers.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    506th Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    June 6 – 10, 1944

    Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 108 (October 28, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Tildon Solomon McGee (ASN: 0-464826), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with as a Chaplain with Headquarters, 3d Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces from 6 to 10 June 1944, near Brevans, France. Chaplain McGee, landing by parachute, made his way under heavy enemy fire to the initial objective of his unit. There he found a very small force being subjected to heavy mortar and machine gun fire, without benefit of medical aid. Chaplain McGee, with complete disregard for his own safety, jumped on a high wall in the face of heavy small arms and aircraft fire, and waved a recognition flag to identify his troops to the attacking aircraft. His actions were above and beyond the normal call of duty and the outstanding courage displayed by Chaplain McGee reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.