Champeny, Arthur Seymour
- Date of birth:
- August 13th, 1893 (Briggsville/Wisconsin, United States)
- Date of death:
- April 11th, 1979 (Wellington/Kansas, United States)
- Service number:
- 0-8264
- Nationality:
- American
Biography
Colonel Arthur Champeny was a unique soldier from the United States. He earned three Distinguished Service Crosses in three different wars. He was awarded his first DSC in September 1918 for bravery near St.-Mihiel in the northeast of France, while serving as 1st Lieutenant, 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division. He was awarded his first Oak Leaf Cluster, to be worn on the ribbon of his DSC for outstanding courage in connection with military operations near Infante Santa Maria in Italy, May 1944. He was awarded his second OLC for military operations near Haman in Korea, serving as Commander of 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- 1919
War Department, General Orders 37
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division "Fighting Blue Devils", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- July 9th, 1944
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Arthur S. Champeny (0-8264), Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces from 11 to 14 May 1944. 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.
Received this second DSC as his first Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first.
Received this second DSC as his first Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first.
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division "Fighting Blue Devils", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- June 28th, 1949
Department of the Army. General Orders 31
- Period:
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- October 20th, 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 S. 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."
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 127
--
Third DSC received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 127
--
Third DSC received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
- Period:
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- October 20th, 1950
Received this fifth Purple Heart as his fourth Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Colonel
- Unit:
- 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division "Fighting Blue Devils", U.S. Army
Citation unavailable.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Received this second Purple Heart as his first Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Received this third Purple Heart as his second Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Received this fourth Purple Heart as his third Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first.
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Croix de Guerre (1914-1918)
- Period:
- First World War (1914-1918)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Medaglia de bronzo al Valore
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
United Nations Service Medal for Korea
- Period:
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Sources
- - Delaney, J.P. – The Blue Devils in Italy – A History of the 88th Infantry Division in World War II - The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 1988
- Campbell, J.P. (editor), History of the 351st Infantry Regiment in World War II, July 1942 to July 1945, 351st Infantry Regimental Information and Education Office, Printed in Italy (official electronic file)
- Home of Heroes.com
- Blue Devils - 88th Infantry Division and Mt.Mestas Research Website
- Valor awards for Arthur S. Champeny
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