Drafted into the Army in June, 1942, Charles Coolidge was first sent to North Africa as part of the preparation for an invasion of Southern Europe. In September of that year his unit, 36th Infantry Division, was the first to land in Europe, and inaugurated the Battle of Salerno. The unit sustained nearly 2000 casualties in that battle. Over the next several months, the 36th fought at Anzio, Mount Lungo, San Pietro, and eventually, Rome. Coolidge received the Silver Star for gallantry in those battles, but his greatest challenge was yet to come.
In August of 1944, Coolidge and the 36th would lead the invasion of Southern France, known as “Operation Avalanche.” Approaching Germany’s southern border, they encountered stiff opposition. On October 24, 1944, Coolidge was in charge of a group of machine-gunners and riflemen who were ordered to clear a hilly area near the border. They dug in at the top of Hill 623, and soon were met by a German unit hunting for them. Coolidge and one of his fellow soldiers, who spoke some German, calmly walked up to greet them and order their surrender! The Germans obliged by firing on them.
The ensuing battle lasted four days. Coolidge and his group of mostly new replacement soldiers held off numerous enemy advances, until the Germans brought up two tanks. The lead tank was within 30 yards of Coolidge’s position when it stopped and the tank commander opened the hatch, looked directly at Coolidge, and asked, in perfect English, “You guys wanna give up?” Coolidge calmly responded, “I’m sorry, Mac. You’ve got to come get me.” The tank fired on him, and missed.
The tank unsuccessfully fired four more rounds directly at Coolidge. He responded by gathering as many grenades as he could carry and throwing them at the tanks, meanwhile moving among his men, giving encouragement and directing their fire. Eventually it became necessary to abandon their position, and he organized his men for an orderly withdrawal, remaining behind until all were safe.
For his actions above and beyond the call of duty during the battle, Coolidge was presented the Medal of Honor by Lieutenant General Wade H. Haislip during a ceremony at an airfield near Dornstadt, Germany on June 18, 1945. the citation reads as follows:
“Leading a section of heavy machineguns supported by 1 platoon of Company K, he took a position near Hill 623, east of Belmont sur Buttant, France, on October 24, 1944, with the mission of covering the right flank of the 3d Battalion and supporting its action. T/Sgt. Coolidge went forward with a Sergeant of Company K to reconnoiter positions for coordinating the fires of the light and heavy machineguns. They ran into an enemy force in the woods estimated to be an infantry company.
T/Sgt. Coolidge, attempting to bluff the Germans by a show of assurance and boldness called upon them to surrender, whereupon the enemy opened fire. With his carbine, T/Sgt. Coolidge wounded 2 of them. There being no officer present with the force, T/Sgt. Coolidge at once assumed command. Many of the men were replacements recently arrived; this was their first experience under fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge, unmindful of the enemy fire delivered at close range, walked along the position, calming and encouraging his men and directing their fire.
The attack was thrown back. Through 25 and October 26, the enemy launched repeated attacks against the position of this combat group but each was repulsed due to T/Sgt. Coolidge’s able leadership. On October 27, German infantry, supported by 2 tanks, made a determined attack on the position. The area was swept by enemy small arms, machinegun, and tank fire.
T/Sgt. Coolidge armed himself with a bazooka and advanced to within 25 yards of the tanks. His bazooka failed to function and he threw it aside. Securing all the hand grenades he could carry, he crawled forward and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy.
Finally it became apparent that the enemy, in greatly superior force, supported by tanks, would overrun the position. T/Sgt. Coolidge, displaying great coolness and courage, directed and conducted an orderly withdrawal, being himself the last to leave the position.
As a result of T/Sgt. Coolidge’s heroic and superior leadership, the mission of this combat group was accomplished throughout 4 days of continuous fighting against numerically superior enemy troops in rain and cold and amid dense woods.
Leading a section of heavy machineguns supported by 1 platoon of Company K, he took a position near Hill 623, east of Belmont sur Buttant, France, on October 24, 1944, with the mission of covering the right flank of the 3d Battalion and supporting its action. T/Sgt. Coolidge went forward with a Sergeant of Company K to reconnoiter positions for coordinating the fires of the light and heavy machineguns. They ran into an enemy force in the woods estimated to be an infantry company.
T/Sgt. Coolidge, attempting to bluff the Germans by a show of assurance and boldness called upon them to surrender, whereupon the enemy opened fire. With his carbine, T/Sgt. Coolidge wounded 2 of them. There being no officer present with the force, T/Sgt. Coolidge at once assumed command. Many of the men were replacements recently arrived; this was their first experience under fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge, unmindful of the enemy fire delivered at close range, walked along the position, calming and encouraging his men and directing their fire.
The attack was thrown back. Through 25 and October 26, the enemy launched repeated attacks against the position of this combat group but each was repulsed due to T/Sgt. Coolidge’s able leadership. On October 27, German infantry, supported by 2 tanks, made a determined attack on the position. The area was swept by enemy small arms, machinegun, and tank fire.
T/Sgt. Coolidge armed himself with a bazooka and advanced to within 25 yards of the tanks. His bazooka failed to function and he threw it aside. Securing all the hand grenades he could carry, he crawled forward and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy.
Finally it became apparent that the enemy, in greatly superior force, supported by tanks, would overrun the position. T/Sgt. Coolidge, displaying great coolness and courage, directed and conducted an orderly withdrawal, being himself the last to leave the position.
As a result of T/Sgt. Coolidge’s heroic and superior leadership, the mission of this combat group was accomplished throughout 4 days of continuous fighting against numerically superior enemy troops in rain and cold and amid dense woods.”
Coolidge returned home, married, and raised a family, including a son who became a Lt. Gen. in the U.S. Air Force. Coolidge passed away last month at the age of 99.
(Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center)
Read the last interview with Coolidge on the U.S. Army website