Charles Coolidge's Medal of Honor heroism in WWII France

Dec 20 , 2025

Charles Coolidge's Medal of Honor heroism in WWII France

The stench of smoke, sweat, and gunpowder clogged the air in the rolling hills near Saint-Benoît-sur-Seine, France. Sergeant Charles Coolidge’s hands trembled—not with fear—but with the raw urgency of command. Bullets cracked like lightning around his head. His company pinned down, morale fraying under the onslaught of machine-gun fire and mortar shells. In that hellish moment, a man’s true nature reveals itself, etched in sweat and blood.

Background & Faith

Born in 1921, in the green fields of Lyndonville, Vermont, Charles Coolidge grew up with the kind of grit only New England soil can breed—hard, steady, and unyielding. Raised in a humble family, he learned early that honor meant more than words. It meant standing when others faltered.

His faith was a quiet armor. A lifelong Sunday school attendee and practicing Christian, Coolidge found his moral compass in scripture and prayer. Through the chaos of war, his belief carried him—an unshakable anchor amid the storm.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9

This verse echoed in his mind on the front lines, transforming fear into fierce steadfastness.

The Battle That Defined Him

June 16, 1944. France was still a maze of enemy fortifications. Charles Coolidge, then a Technical Sergeant with the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, was ordered to seize the village of Saint-Benoît-sur-Seine—a critical point to break the German hold on the region.

Enemy fire rained down with precision and cruelty. The adversary had fortified positions, machine guns locked on every approach. Coolidge’s men took heavy casualties. Corpses lay frozen in mid-advance—testaments to the merciless landscape of war.

But surrender was never a word in Coolidge’s vocabulary.

Under the blistering fire, he:

- Organized his disoriented squads.

- Moved among the men, rallying and reloading.

- Directed suppressive fire to dislodge enemy snipers.

He volunteered to scout dangerous flanks, exposing himself to sniper fire to chart safer routes. Twice wounded, twice threatened with collapse, he refused evacuation.

At one point, Coolidge hoisted his severely wounded squad leader over his shoulders and dragged him to safety while bullets shredded the dirt around them.

His actions galvanized the company. They pushed forward, house by house, corner by corner, until the Germans broke and fled.

The village fell that day—thanks largely to the fierce leadership and guts of Sergeant Coolidge.

Recognition

Charles Coolidge’s courage earned him the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military decoration. The citation, ratified on January 15, 1946, outlined his valor:

“Sergeant Coolidge’s indomitable spirit and clear-headed leadership under life-threatening fire were instrumental in capturing key enemy positions. His selfless bravery inspired his men to press the attack notwithstanding heavy resistance.”

Generals and soldiers alike spoke of his quiet strength.

Colonel Roy Hoffman of the 36th Infantry called Coolidge “a soldier's soldier, whose leadership under fire saved countless lives and shattered enemy lines.”

His Medal of Honor, along with Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts, are stitched into his legacy—but the real medal was the lives spared and the enemy defeated by his will.

Legacy & Lessons

In a world that often forgets the real cost of war, Charles Coolidge’s story bleeds truth.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the refusal to let fear dictate your actions.

Sacrifice has no glamorous face. It’s grime, pain, and loss. But it’s also redemption—that promise that no sacrifice is in vain when made for freedom, for comrades, for faith.

When Coolidge returned home, he declined the spotlight, carrying scars only his brothers-in-arms understood. He never forgot the faces of those who didn’t come back.

He lived by the creed that faith and duty walk hand in hand.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

Today, his story serves as a torch passed down to generations. Not just a tale of valor, but a lesson carved in sweat and sacrifice: Real strength rises from service—and serves something greater than self.

The battlefield may fade into silence, but the echoes of men like Charles Coolidge remain—intense, unrelenting. When the night is darkest, their bravery lights a fire in the souls of those who dare to carry on.

May we honor their scars, guard their legacy, and live lives worthy of their sacrifices.