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Contact Info
Home Town El Reno, Oklahoma
Last Address San Antonio, Texas
Date of Passing Apr 20, 2004
Location of Interment Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (VA) - San Antonio, Texas
CSM Chilton was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Served in Africa, Italy, France and Germany during World War II. In Vietnam he was the Command Sergeant for the 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade. Retired as Command Sergeant Major. Recipient of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with "V" device with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service, Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Master Parachustist Badge. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Pearl Chilton; son, William Robert Chilton. Information extracted from obituary in San Antonio Express News, April 23, 2004.
Robert C. Chilton was born and raised in El Reno Oklahoma. In 1942, at 18 years of age,
he joined the US Army in Oklahoma City. Trained in Ft. Sill OK and Camp Wallace, TX, then to New York where
he boarded the "Gripsholm", a Swedish Liner converted for troops. Nov.8, 1942, Pvt. Robert C. Chilton landed in North Africa and fought the duration of the African Campaign with the 1st Armored Division. Sept.9, 1943
he was in the Salerno, Italy invasion followed by the Anzio Italy beach head encounter, then on to southern France, 1944. Crossing the Rhine River into Germany at Worms, battles were fought through Stutgart and Nuremberg and then on into Austria. When the war in Europe ended May 1945,
he was in Salzburg, Austria, having been in WWII 2 years and 11 months.
He returned home on the Queen Mary arriving in New York Oct.1945.
He graduated from Ft. Benning GA and became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. Here
he gained the rank of 1st Sergeant. From there, a family accompanied tour to Germany and two one-year tours to Korea followed. In 1968,
he was among the first to receive the then new rank of Command Sergeant Major. This same year, 1968,
he went to Vietnam where
he was with the 101st Airborne Division.
His last battle before returning to the United States was "Hamburger Hill".
His last tour of duty was in Ft. Myer, VA where
he was the Command Sergeant Major of the "Presidents Honor Guard" - 3rd Infantry Old Guard.
He retired on June 30, 1972 with 30 years service having served in the Infantry, Armor, Airborne and Intelligence Units. Command Sergeant Major Robert C. Chilton, Retired, now lives in San Antonio, TX near Ft. Sam Houston and remains active in military affairs.
He is 1999 President of the Alamo Chapter 82nd Airborne Association.
