Charles T. Horner Jr.
# Charles T. Horner Jr.

Charles Thompson Horner Jr. (May 6, 1916 – April 4, 1992) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Army who served in the 16th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 1st Infantry Division from July 1940 to February 1946 and held every position from Platoon Leader to Regimental Commander. As a leader in the "Big Red One", he participated in the North Africa, Sicily, and the European Campaigns and three amphibious landings; the invasions of North Africa (Operation Torch), Sicily (Operation Husky), and Europe (Operation Overlord) where he commanded the 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry on Omaha Beach.

## Major combat engagements

* Operation Torch (Invasion of North Africa): November 1942
* Tunisia Campaign: November 1942 - May 1943
   * Battle of the Kasserine Pass: February 1943
   * Battle of El Guettar: March - April 1943
* Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily): July - August 1943
   * Battle of Troina: July–August 1943
* Western Front
   * Normandy Campaign
      * Operation Overlord (Allied Invasion of Europe): June 1944
         * Omaha Beach: 6 June 1944
      * Operation Cobra: July- August 1944
   * Battle of Aachen: October 1944
   * Battle of Hürtgen Forest: November 1944
   * Battle of the Bulge: December 1944 – January 1945

### Omaha Beach: 6 June 1944

LTC Horner (second from the right) commanded the 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division during the initial assault on "Bloody Omaha". The following is a transcription of the 3rd Battalion After Action Report for D-Day. Photograph shows the D-Day 16th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (RCT) commanders taken just prior to the Normandy invasion.

## Citations

### Silver Star

Major Horner was awarded the Silver Star for action in Oran, Algeria. The official U.S. Army citation for Major Horner's first Silver Star reads:

    General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 33 (December 7, 1942)
    Action Date: 10 November 1942
    Name: Charles T. Horner Jr.
    Service: Army
    Rank: Major
    Company: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
    Battalion: 2nd Battalion
    Regiment: 16th Infantry Regiment
    Division: 1st Infantry Division
    Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) [then Captain] Charles Thompson Horner, Jr. (ASN: 0-23530), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action east of Oran, Algeria, 10 November 1942. During the Oran offensive, two companies of the 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment separated because of heavy enemy machine-gun and artillery fire. Major (then Captain) Horner, on his own initiative, and with utter disregard of his personal safety, (Major Horner) crossed an open field under heavy fire, reunited the two companies, and personally led them in an assault against a heavily-fortified enemy position. Major Horner's action was a decided factor in the successful assault of that position, and his sound judgment and disregard of his personal safety were an inspiration to the officers and men of the 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment.

### Distinguished Service Cross

Major Horner was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for action in Troina, Sicily. The official U.S. Army citation for Major Horner's Distinguished Service Cross reads:

    General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)
    Action Date: July 29, 1943
    Name: Charles T. Horner Jr.
    Service: Army
    Rank: Major
    Company: Commanding Officer
    Battalion: 3rd Battalion
    Regiment: 16th Infantry Regiment
    Division: 1st Infantry Division
    Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Charles Thompson Horner, Jr. (ASN: 0-23530), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 29 July 1943 near Troina, Sicily. On at least two occasions during the battle for the city of Troina, by his magnificent personal leadership and incomparable bravery, he inspired and rallied the members of his command so that they were enabled to seize and retain their hard won objectives. In the final assault on the city, Lieutenant Colonel Horner, with rifle in hand, personally led his men up the towering sides of the mountain guarding this bristling fortress and in the heat of the salvage battle for the city, so inspired his men by his example of bravery that they pressed on in the face of tremendous odds to take their final objective and enter the city with Lieutenant Colonel Horner at the front of his battalion. By his outstanding leadership and heroic effort, Major Horner acted in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 28 (1944)

### Silver Star (First Oak Leaf Cluster)

LTC Horner was awarded the Silver Star (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for action near Hamich, Germany.

    General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 137 (December 4, 1944)
    Action Date: 18–19 November 1944
    Name: Charles T. Horner Jr.
    Service: Army
    Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    Company: Headquarters
    Battalion: 3rd Battalion
    Regiment: 16th Infantry Regiment
    Division: 1st Infantry Division
    Citation: For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Hamich, Germany, 18–19 November 1944. Fearlessly exposing himself to automatic, small-arms, and tank fire during a fierce engagement with the enemy, Colonel Horner advanced across hazardous terrain and skillfully directed effective artillery bombardment of the foe. Colonel Horner's gallantry and unwavering devotion to duty exemplify the finest traditions of the service. Entered service from Pennsylvania. Address: Care of the Adjutant General, Washington 25, D.C.

### Distinguished Service Order (UK)

LTC Horner was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his actions which occurred two days after the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge while attached to the British 21st Army Group. The DSO is the British equivalent of the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross, and is second only to the Victoria Cross. The official citation for LTC Horner's Distinguished Service Order reads:

    Action Date: December 18, 1944
    Name: Charles T. Horner Jr.
    Service: Army
    Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    Company: Commanding Officer
    Battalion: 3rd Battalion
    Regiment: 16th Infantry Regiment
    Division: 1st Infantry Division
    Corps: V
    Citation: While making a motorized reconnaissance in the vicinity of Weimes, Belgium, on December 18, 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Horner observed a group of enemy paratroopers armed with automatic and semi-automatic weapons rounding up American members of a field hospital as prisoners. As his vehicle come into view, it was subjected to intense fire from the enemy group. Courageously, he dismounted and opened fire with his carbine upon the Germans. Greatly outnumbered, he ran toward the enemy to engage them in combat and refused to take cover from heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire placed upon him. So confused were the Germans by this valiant officer’s contempt for their fire that they became completely disorganized and made a hasty retreat. The extraordinary courage displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Horner in attacking singlehandedly a group of heavily armed Germans resulted in the release of an entire platoon of the field hospital.
    Recommender: Courtney H. Hodges, Lieutenant General, USA, Commanding General, First U.S. Army.
    Approver: B.L. Montgomery, Field Marshal, Commander, 21st Army Group.
    Signed: George VI, King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth.

## Awards and decorations

### Badges

* Combat Infantryman Badge
* Army Staff Identification Badge

### Awards and Decorations

* Distinguished Service Cross
* Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
* Silver Star with oak leaf cluster
* Bronze Star with "V" Device and three oak leaf clusters
* Army Commendation Medal
* American Defense Service Medal
* American Campaign Medal
* European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Army of Occupation Medal
* National Defense Service Medal
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Distinguished Service Order (UK)

### Unit Citations

* Presidential Unit Citation
* Meritorious Unit Commendation
