Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Arthur
Seymour
Champeny
August 13, 1893

–

April 11, 1979

Cemetery:

Old Mission Mausoleum

Arthur Champeny earned his first Distinguished Service Cross in World War I, on September 12, 1918, while serving as 1st Lieutenant with the 356th Infantry (89th Division) at near St. Mihiel, France. He earned a SECOND Distinguished Service Cross during World War II, for extraordinary heroism in action May 11 – 14, 1944, as a Colonel with the 351st Infantry, and a THIRD in Korea. He retired as a U.S. Army Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    24th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 5, 1950
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 127 (October 20, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Arthur Seymour Champeny (ASN: 0-8264), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Colonel Champeny distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, on 5 September 1950. Colonel Champeny came under direct attack by a numerically superior enemy force which had broken through the Regimental Sector. Confusion developed throughout the area and in the burning village where the Regimental Command Post was located. Small enemy groups had infiltrated the village. Colonel Champeny calmly directed and supervised the withdrawal of his depleted Regiment and the Regimental Command Post. When the new Regimental Command Post had been established, Colonel Champeny returned to reorganize battered elements of the Regiment. He came under fire and was wounded twice. Although severely wounded, he gave instructions for organizing the new defensive positions and transmitted the plans to Division Headquarters. His military poise and battle courage inspired the regiment to withstand the assault. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Colonel Champeny on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    356th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 37 (1919)

    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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Arthur Seymour Champeny (ASN: 0-8264), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near St. Mihiel, France, 12 September 1918. Assisting the battalion commander, who had been severely wounded in the early fighting, Lieutenant Champeny maintained the liaison personnel, making many journeys himself through heavy shelling. When the battalion commander had been evacuated, he assumed command, and moved the battalion to its new position.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    October 1945 – December 1947
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 31 (June 28, 1949)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Arthur Seymour Champeny (ASN: 0-8264), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from October 1945 to December 1947. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Champeny and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    351st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    88th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 88th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 70 (1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Arthur Seymour Champeny (ASN: 0-8264), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a Commanding Officer of the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Colonel Champeny’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 88th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    351st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    88th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Arthur Seymour Champeny (ASN: 0-8264), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Commanding Officer of the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Champeny and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    351st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    88th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 11 – 14, 1944
    Headquarters, FIFTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 114 (July 9, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Arthur Seymour Champeny (ASN: 0-8264), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Santa Maria Infante and La Civita, Italy, from 11 to 14 May 1944. On the night of 11 May 1944, Colonel Champeny was commanding a regimental attack on an enemy hill position when the advance of one of his battalions was halted as a result of the loss of key commanders. Completely disregarding his own safety, Colonel Champeny moved through heavy enemy fire to reach the battalion and assumed commanding, reorganized the force and resumed the offensive. He directed this attack for more than three hours, moving from unit to unit encouraging and inspiring his men. Later that night he personally directed a company flanking attack which forestalled imminent enemy counterattacks. The same night, noticing two disabled tanks, Colonel Champeny proceeded through an enemy mine field to reach the tanks and supervise their removal in order to allow other tanks to move forward in support of the advancing regiment. On the morning of 14 May 1944, Colonel Champeny observed a Germany battery in position approximately 400 yards beyond the crest of a hill. Under direct enemy machinegun fire, he moved to a company position to lead an attack on the artillery position. Inspired by Colonel Champeny, who stood boldly erect in the face of enemy machinegun fire, those men left the cover they had previously sought, overran the enemy artillery battery, and killed or captured approximately 100 Germans. The completely fearless and selfless actions of Colonel Champeny inspired his Infantry and led to the crushing of the southern hinge of the Gustav Line. Colonel Champeny’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 88th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.