ROBERT EUGENE “BOB” CHISOLM LTC (Ret.) U. S. ARMY - 1942 - 1971 Combat Veteran - World War II, Korea & Vietnam

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

All information and documents listed were provided with permission from LTC (Ret) Robert E. Chisolm Note: Compiled with the approval of, and in cooperation with, John Ceballos, Chairman of the El Paso Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes ROBERT EUGENE “BOB” CHISOLM LTC (Ret.) U. S. ARMY - 1942 - 1971 Combat Veteran - World War II, Korea & Vietnam

Born in Dallas , Texas on 23 June 1925. The 3rd of 4 children and grew up in Dallas and was commonly referred to as Gene by friends and family. Bob Chisolm played football and tennis in high school. As a junior in High School, Gene dropped out and joined the Army in August of 1942. Robert E. Chisolm entered military service on August 24, 1942 for the duration of the War plus 6 Months. Received orders & attended basic combat training at Fort Walters, Texas. He completed Airborne “Jump School” at Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division.

During World War II, he made combat parachute jumps into Normandy, France on D-Day as part of Operation Overlord. He suffered his first combat wound on his 19th birthday on June 23, 1944. His second combat wound was during Operation Market Garden as he 18126484 was about to exit the aircraft over Holland. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. His combat actions in Holland would later be described in a book written by the author William G. Lord.

“After combat jump into Holland - Unit Officers, and most Non-Coms, had become casualties - Corporal Robert Chisolm takes charge of approximately 83 men and demonstrating exemplary leadership in action that ensued, is awarded the Legion of Merit,” wrote Lord in his book: History of the 508th Parachute Infantry.

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

On January 7, 1945, Robert E. Chisolm was also involved in bitter fighting during the “Battle of the Bulge” where he was wounded a third time. His wounds were of such severity that, had it not been for the extreme cold which caused his blood to coagulate, he may have bled to death. He was evacuated back to the United States where 18126484 he was hospitalized at William Beaumont Army Hospital for ten months. While he was at the hospital, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant on April 7, 1945.

On September 2, 1945, WWII was over. His Commanding Officer came in to talk about re-enlisting to continue his career in Army and he was offered the rank of Sergeant First Class. He requested re-assignment to 82nd Airborne, with orders to return back to Frankfurt, Germany. Robert E. Chisolm re-enlisted on January 9, 1946. Robert E. Chisolm was promoted Sergeant 14 February 1946 First Class on January 9, 1946, and he married Miss Margaret Francis Browning on 14 February 1946. He met Margaret while he was in the 2nd grade and she To Maraget st My was in the 1 grade in Dallas, Texas. He knew then he Perpetual Valentine was going to marry her, and he did. You talk about Forever Love Bob marrying your childhood sweetheart. His perpetual Valentine. He received orders to report back to Frankfurt, Germany accompanied by his wife to be part of the Honor Guard for General Dwight D. True Love Eisenhower.

On 18 July 1947, their daughter, Cheryl Dawn Chisolm, was born, making her the first American born in Europe post-WW II. Sergeant First Class Robert Eugene Chisolm remained in Frankfurt, Germany with his family.

On Jan 9, 1949 Robert Eugene Chisolm was promoted to First Sergeant. He then was promoted to Master Sergeant Regular Army and completed his tour in Frankfurt, Germany in 1951. He then returned by ship to the United States with his family.

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

Citing Robert Eugene Chisolm’s extraordinary leadership of Units assigned to Officers within his Command and his exemplary service, a Field Commission Board headed by COL Roy C. Evans at the Presidio in San Francisco, CA, awarded him a Temporary Battlefield Commission with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant on 23 November 1951 with orders to report to Fort Benning, Georgia for a 22-week Associate Infantry Company Officers Course. He earned a Diploma on 21 August 1952.

Robert E. Chisolm was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant within the Commissioned Officers Reserve Corps in the Army of the United States on 27 October 1952. At the time, he was in the 505th at Fort Benning, Georgia, having wished to stay Airborne. With his promotion, he was moved to Infantry at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

By 1953, Chisolm would be involved in the Korean War where he would serve as Commander for L Company, 31st Infantry, 7th Infantry Division, as a 2nd Lieutenant and would be involved in one of the last major actions of the conflict. His service as a Company Commander was an extraordinary assignment as most Company Level Units are assigned to Officers in the Rank of Captain or above. For his exemplary service as Commander, he earned a battlefield commission to 1st Lieutenant on 4 May 1955. He would later sustain a ruptured ear drum from direct artillery fire, a wound that would subsequently become infected and lead to his transfer to a United States Army Hospital in Yokohama, Japan. Later he was transferred to United States Army Hospital at Camp Mercy, Okinawa, where his wife Margaret, and daughter, Dawn, would join him.

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

Robert E. Chisolm was promoted to Capitan, a Reserve Commissioned Officer, on 10 April 1958 and later in the Vietnam Conflict, he would serve as Regimental Advisor with the Vietnamese Army 45th Regiment and G-3 Advisor to the 23rd Division.

Robert E. Chisolm was promoted to Temporary Rank of Major on 10 April 1962. He received orders to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to attend Associate Command General Staff Officers Course for 44 weeks, and he earned a Diploma on 10 May 1963. Later Robert E. Chisolm left Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for his second tour in Southeast Asia on 14 July 1963. There he served at Chief Plans and Operation Division and Deputy Chief Joint United States Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) Thailand. Robert E. Chisolm was promoted to Permanent Rank of Major (USAR) United State Army Reserve on 14 June 1964. On December 20, 1966, Robert E. Chisolm was promoted to Temporary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His wife, Margaret (in photo at left), helped pin it on. He would subsequently be assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from October 1968 – June 1970 where he served at Chief War Games Branch Combat Development Command. On February 5, 1971 Robert E. Chisolm was promoted to Permanent Rank of Lieutenant Colonel United States Army Reserve, and then he was medically retired. His Terminal Date of Reserve / UMT & Service Obligation to the United States Army was effective on 30 August 1973. Bob Chisolm is also a successful businessman and highly respected citizen of the El Paso Community. After his retirement from the Army, Bob owned and operated ranches in East Texas. After his move to El Paso in 1974 he served as the President of Jim Johnson of El Paso, Inc. He later incorporated J-Tex, Inc., a manufacturing and export business, where he served as CEO and President. In 1981 he incorporated FDYA, a Texas non-profit corporation which supports disadvantaged and deprived youth. He continues to manage his one remaining business and donates many of its proceeds to the Benavidez- Patterson “All Airborne” Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Bob continues to serve his community and the active-duty military and local veteran population, through his involvement with the non-profit organization: Roy Benavidez-Robert Patterson “All Airborne” Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. LTC (Ret) Robert E. Chisolm was a founder and charter member of the organization, which has now grown to be the largest chapter in the state of Texas and seventh largest nationwide.

Robert E. Chisolm’s Bob’s honors include his name being etched into the annals of military combat history at the National Infantry Museum (just outside of Fort Benning, Georgia), where the name, ROBERT E. CHISOLM, appears as entry number 45 in a list of only 325 combat veterans who have earned the Triple CIB (Combat Infantry Badge Third Award), for service in three military conflicts: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

Bob, Margaret, and Dawn were responsible for the establishment of the Benavidez- Patterson Scholarship Fund. This fund provides annual educational stipends to the children and grandchildren of local veteran paratroopers. Bob's beloved wife of 63 years, Margaret Francis Chisolm, passed away Friday, August 15, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. Visitation was held from 6pm – 8pm on Monday, August 24, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Homes - West. Graveside services were held at 9:00am on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Photo by Sgt. Barry St. Clair, 24th Press Camp Headquarters

Robert E. Chisolm lost his daughter, Dawn Chisolm – Doyle, on 22 March 2013 to cancer, and he is survived by her husband, Richard Doyle. Richard has been close family to Bob since the loss of Margaret in 2009 and then Dawn in 2013.

More recently on the evening of August 17, 2013, at the 67th National Convention of the 82nd Airborne Division Association at the Mariotte Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bob would be honored as the 2013 All -American “Man of the Year”. This recognition comes from an organization comprised of over 100 U.S. Chapters, and from an estimated 40,000 paratroopers. Robert E. Chisolm, who served with the 508th PIR of the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII, was inducted into the All American Hall of Fame at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on May 22, 2019. Through 2020, only 49 of the millions of All Americans who have served with the 82nd Airborne Division since 1917 have received this high honor. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. First Class Daniel Wallace). On November 11, 2014, the City of El Paso, Texas honored Robert E. Chisolm by renaming a local park in his honor, for his meritorious and exemplary service to his community, city, and country. VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes The VVA Chapter 844 was formed in February 2000. The Board of Directors chose to name it The VVA Weiland C. Norris Chapter 844. He was born on July 12, 1942 and joined the U. S. Army on April 24, 1970 with rank of PFC. He lost his life on July 12, 1970 while serving with 101st Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion, A Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. PFC Norris was honored for his service in Vietnam with the Chapter’s name designation from February 4, 2000 – August 13, 2014. On August 14, 2014, The Vietnam Veterans Chapter Board of Directors made a name change to The Vietnam Veterans Association Robert Eugene Chisolm Chapter 844. This in honor of Bob’s exemplary military accomplishments in service to the United States Army from 1942 – 1973 as both an Enlisted and Commissioned Officer across many major missions. On November 23, 2019 VVA Chapter 844 had their 20th Anniversary Banquet at the Best Western Plus. Social Hour was 4:30pm. Then there was presentation of the Color Guard and POW/MIA Table. Guests were welcomed by Speakers at 5pm. A Buffet dinner started at 6:00pm followed by the Dance until 10pm. Uniform of the Day was Class “A” with Garrison Cap. Memorial Table for our POW /

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters, I’m honored, humble and proud to present in your name, LTC (Ret) Robert “Bob” “Gene” Chisolm. Wife Margaret called him Chis. Bob has been with VVA Chapter 844 ever since 1999, when the Chapter was formed.

Robert E. Chisolm, in your honor we have awarded “Robert E. Chisolm PRESIDENT’S AWARDS” to two of our VVA Chapter 844 Brothers. Jim Paul in May 2019 and Jesus M. Dominguez in May 2020. Presented By VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 President Elias Camacho VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

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VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

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VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

The Legion of Honour

Front Rear

The Legion of Honour is the highest French Order of Merit, both Military and Civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, it has been retained by all later French Government and Regimes.

La Légion d’Honneur The French Legion of Honor The Highest French Distinction The French Legion of Honor was created to reward eminent military and civil merits in the service of France. It is the highest distinction that can be conferred in France on a French citizen as well as on a foreigner. Origin Napoléon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic, first established the French Legion of Honor in 1802. Grades and Ranks The Legion of Honor is divided into five degrees. The degrees are divided as follow: • Three ranks: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander) • Two dignities: Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross) Since its inception, the medal consists of a five-armed “Maltese Asterisk” enameled in white, joined with branches of laurel and oak. • At the center of the star, there is a medallion representing: • In the front side, the symbol of the Republic with the inscription “Républiquefrançaise” on the other side, a flag and a banner intertwining one another with the circular inscription “Honneur et patrie” The ribbon is in red moiré silk.

Photo by Sgt. Barry St. Clair, 24th Press Camp Headquarters

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

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Purple Heart # 1 Purple Heart # 2 Purple Heart # 4 Normandy Invasion also called Holland Operation Purple Heart # 3 Korea Conflict “Operation Overlord” “Market Garden” 1955 (D-Day) 17 September 1944 Belgium 23 June 1944 Battle of the Bulge 19th Birthday 7 January 1945

Holland Netherlands

Vietnam Cross with Gold Star indicates a Regiment or Brigade Citation Belguim French

Tai Jump Wings

US WW2 Belgian Red and Green Fourragère – Lanyard WW2 Belgium Fourragère lanyard awarded to American units who fought with distinguished service in the liberation of Belgium in World War Two. The Belgium Fourragère lanyard was worn by all US troops that had participated in the liberation of Belgium and had been awarded (mentioned in Army dispatches) twice. US WW2 Holland, Netherlands Orange – Lanyard Netherlands Orange Lanyard awarded to American units that had fought in WW2 for the liberation of Holland. The Netherlands Orange Lanyard was worn by all US troops that had participated in the liberation of Holland in WWII it was worn on the US Army four pocket A Class the US Army four pocket A Class tunic and the Ike jacket. World War Two units that are allowed to wear the Dutch Orange Lanyard include the US 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division who were involved in Operation Market Garden. US WW2 French Green/Red Fourragère – Lanyard Heroism, bloodshed, sacrifice, are all words that ring clear the history of the French is examined.

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

Robert E. Chisolm an 82nd Airborne Division Veteran, sits in front of a plaque of himself during the 2nd annual 82nd Airborne Division all American week 2019 Hall of Fame induction Ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, May 22, 2019, Robert E. Chisolm was among 16 of the Division’s former paratroopers honored at the Ceremony. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. First Class Daniel Wallace).

Lieutenant Colonel Javier Rosales Jr., Commander, 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment (Gunslingers), Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), El Paso, Texas presents the State of Texas Adjutant Individual Award and Gunslingers Coin to El Paso Veterans & Riders Association (EPVRA) member LTC (R) Robert E. Chisolm. Darrell G. Mond, Founder and President, El Paso Veterans & Riders Association (EPVRA) recommended LTC (R) Robert E. Chisolm for this special recognition in appreciation for his support to El Paso’s Veterans and their families, the Texas Army National Guard and the El Paso Veterans & Riders Association (EPVRA). LTC (R) Robert E. Chisolm was the first three El Paso Veterans to have received this Special recognition. (EPVRA File Photos released per request)

LIGHT TANK – CHISOLM (LTC)

Private Robert E. Chisolm was just 18 years old, as he jumped into Normandy on June 6, 1944, with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He would later do combat jumps into Korea and Vietnam. He served gallantly in the United States Army for 29 years rising to and retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Chisolm’s Awards and Decorations include: Combat Infantry Badge with 2 Stars; Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; and a Bronze Star. LTC(R) Chisolm is a member of numerous Veterans’ organizations including the El Paso Veterans & Riders Association (EPVRA).

WEIGHT: (Classified) WIDTH: 52.75 inches LENGTH (Gun Forward): 120.25 inches HULL LENGTH: 80.5 Inches TURRENT HIGHT: 54.25 inches GROUND CLEARENCE: 12.50 Inches MAIN ARMAMENT: (Classified) TOP SPEED: (Classified) CRUISING RANGE: (Classified) NBC SYSTEMS: Yes (Anti COVID) NIGHT CAPEABILITY: Yes POWER PLANT: Gas Powered UNIT REPLACEMENT COST: (TBD) AIR DEPLOYABLE: Yes REACTIVE ARMOR: Yes

VVA Robert E. Chisolm Chapter 844 El Paso Tx. Newsletter Editor / Historian Edward E. Wilkes

Association Renames “Person of the Year” Award as the “Bob Chisolm Person of the Year” Award The Association Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Chairperson of the Awards Committee, has voted unanimously to rename the award that recognizes extraordinary contributions to the Family and Friends of the 508th PIR Association as the “Bob Chisolm Person of the Year”. For decades, LTC (Ret) Robert E. “Bob” Chisolm has been a champion of the original 508th PIR Association and our successor Association, serving in officer and committee roles, loyally attending annual reunions, and providing critical guidance and support. An original World War II Paratrooper with the 508th PIR, Bob Chisolm made combat jumps into Normandy on D-Day and into Holland during Operation Market Garden, then fought courageously in the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in all three actions and evacuated from both France and Belgium. As a Corporal, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for inspiring performance of duty in Holland. In a 29-year distinguished Army career, he led in combat in both Korea and Vietnam, becoming one of 324 soldiers to earn three Combat Infantry Badges. Later, Bob pursued a successful business career and then dedicated himself to veterans’ organizations including his beloved Benavidez-Patterson Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, cementing his legacy through scholarship programs at the Chapter and at the University of Texas El Paso. Bob Chisolm, now age 95, was inducted into the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Hall of Fame in 2019, joining his WWII comrades CSM (Ret) Rock Merritt and 1SGT Leonard A. Funk, among only 49 now in the Hall of Fame from the hundreds of thousands of All Americans who have served since 1917.