United States Army Brigadier General. One of the United States Army's most decorated officers, he was the only American to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in three different wars. In World War I, he served as a Captain in the 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division. On September 12, 1918, in action near St. Mihiel, France, he earned his first DSC, when his battalion commander was severely wounded, he assumed command and maintained the liaison of personnel while moving the battalion to its new position. During World War II, he served as a Colonel with the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. At Infante Santa Maria, Italy, for outstanding leadership and personal bravery in action against enemy forces from May 11 to 14, 1944, he was awarded his second DSC. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Champeny was appointed Colonel in command of the segregated 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division. On September 5, 1950, for extraordinary heroism during an attack by a numerically superior enemy force at Haman, Korea, he received his third DSC from President Harry S. Truman. In addition to three Distinguished Service Crosses, he was awarded the Silver Star, five Purple Hearts, two French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, and the Italian Bronze Medal of Military Valor. He retired from the Army as a Brigadier General in 1953.
United States Army Brigadier General. One of the United States Army's most decorated officers, he was the only American to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in three different wars. In World War I, he served as a Captain in the 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division. On September 12, 1918, in action near St. Mihiel, France, he earned his first DSC, when his battalion commander was severely wounded, he assumed command and maintained the liaison of personnel while moving the battalion to its new position. During World War II, he served as a Colonel with the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. At Infante Santa Maria, Italy, for outstanding leadership and personal bravery in action against enemy forces from May 11 to 14, 1944, he was awarded his second DSC. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Champeny was appointed Colonel in command of the segregated 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division. On September 5, 1950, for extraordinary heroism during an attack by a numerically superior enemy force at Haman, Korea, he received his third DSC from President Harry S. Truman. In addition to three Distinguished Service Crosses, he was awarded the Silver Star, five Purple Hearts, two French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, and the Italian Bronze Medal of Military Valor. He retired from the Army as a Brigadier General in 1953.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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