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 Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action on 31 March 1945. When the platoon was moving down to Horsental, Germany, the enemy opened up with heavy fire from two flak vehicles behind the town, and, at the same time, enemy riflemen and machine gunners commenced fire from positions in front of the town. Quickly grasping the situation, Technical Sergeant Chilson ran back three hundred yards, through the heavy fire, mounted the top of a tank, and rode it back to a position suitable for delivering counter-fire. Although the flak and machine gun fire was continuous, he remained in his exposed position in order to obtain maximum observation and to give detailed fire orders. Technical Sergeant Chilson’s aggressive and unselfish action in the course of which six enemy soldiers were killed and seven captured, and his heroic devotion to duty, were a deciding factor in the success of military operations, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Corporal Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action on 17 February 1944 in the vicinity of Aprilla, Italy. Corporal Chilson together with three other men, was taken prisoner of war and forced to act as litter-bearer for the German forces. Taking advantage of the confusion caused by an artillery concentration, the group escaped, capturing an enemy outpost of four men, and successfully returned to friendly lines with much valuable information as to enemy dispositions and morale. The information led to offensive action, resulting in the capture of 40 German prisoners with very little loss to our troops. The gallantry, fortitude, and sense of duty displayed by Corporal Chilson was directly responsible for the success of the attack and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Llewellyn M. Chilson (ASN: 35112223), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action near Denshein, France, on 24 November 1944. As his platoon was accomplishing its mission of cutting the main road leading from Denshein, it was suddenly halted by enemy machine gun and rifle fire from a German road block. Setting his machine gun up as a base of fire, Technical Sergeant Chilson moved forward alone through the heavy enemy fire and, under cover of darkness, out-flanked the enemy position, crawling to within twenty yards of the road block from where he threw two hand grenades and then opened fire with his sub-machine gun, killing three Germans and forcing nine more to surrender. Technical Sergeant Chilson’s action not only enabled the company to cut the road but materially aided in the capture of Denshein. His gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.