Chamberlin, John C. "Jack"

Date of birth:: November 9th, 1920 (Belding/Michigan, United States)
Date of death:: February 7th, 1990 (Osprey/Florida, United States)
Service number:: 36 525 582
Nationality:: American

Biography

John C. Chamberlin was born on November 9th, 1920 in Belding, Michigan as the son of William Ira Chamberlin and Catherine Putnam Chamberlin. At the age of 12 he adopted the nickname of “Jack”. He graduated from Edmore High School in Edmore, Michigan and went on to Kalamazoo College and then WestPoint Prep.

After the outbreak of World War II, Jack joined the army and decided to become a paratrooper. At the end of his service he was wounded near Mont, Belgium on January 7th, 1945. Due to his injury he was transported to London where his right arm was amputated about two inches below the elbow. From London Jack was transported to Battle Creek, Michigan VA Hospital where he spent a year and a half in rehabilitation.

His fiancée, Marjorie Elece Smith, moved from Caro, Michigan to work as a secretary in the same VA hospital and they were married near the end of his stay. After his rehabilitation was complete, Jack and Marge moved to Midland, Michigan so Jack could resume working at Dow Chemical Company. During his 37 years with Dow Chemical, Jack worked in Sales, retiring as the Sales Manager of the Polystyrene Department. Upon retirement, Jack and Marge moved to Osprey, Florida. Jack died in Osprey on February 7th, 1990 and his wife, Marge, died September 12, 2011. Jack left a legacy of three children: Two sons, John and Kim and a daughter, Barbara, plus five grandchildren.

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Unit:: Company F, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army (Company F, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army)
Awarded on:: February 2nd, 1945

For action performed on 7 January 1945, near Mont/Province of Luxembourg, Belgium.

Citation:
"For gallantry in action on 7 January 1945, one mile from MONT, BELGIUM. During an attack on an enemy strong point, Sergeant CHAMBERLIN's squad came under extremely heavy and accurate small arms and machine gun fire which caused numerous casualties. Sergeant CHAMBERLIN unhesitatingly rushed across approximately 100 yards of open terrain in the face of this fire in an effort to move the wounded man back. The enemy laid down a barrage of 50 mm.mortar fire, but he succeeded in moving the man to partial cover and returned to his original position. After the barrage had abated, he again rushed out across the open field and was again met with a heavy barrage which forced him back after being wounded seriously in the arm. Refusing evacuation, he remained in an open position directing his squad's withdrawal until he collapsed from loss of blood. Sergeant CHAMBERLIN's courage and intrepid leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces."