Home > United States of America > South Carolina > Abbeville County > Abbeville > Upper Long Cane Cemetery > COL Gilmon Agustus Huff

COL Gilmon Agustus Huff

View larger map

Birth	:	2 Nov 1915 Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina, USA
Death	:	29 Apr 1999 Snellville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA
Burial	:	Upper Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate	:	34.2042007, -82.3917007
Description	:	Colonel, U.S. Army. World War II and Korean War. Gilmon A. Huff was born on 2 November 1915 in Greenville, SC, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Bertha Gosnell Huff. During World War II, Gilmon A. Huff was an Army Lieutenant Colonel serving in France with the 2nd Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. On 25 June 1944, the 2nd Battalion, commanded by LTC Huff, attacked 2 fortified positions, including the heavily-defended Fort du Roule at Cherbourg, France. At that time, Cherbourg was the most important harbor in the world. For the Allies it was the vital gateway to Europe, indispensable... Read More	Colonel, U.S. Army. World War II and Korean War. Gilmon A. Huff was born on 2 November 1915 in Greenville, SC, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Bertha Gosnell Huff. During World War II, Gilmon A. Huff was an Army Lieutenant Colonel serving in France with the 2nd Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. On 25 June 1944, the 2nd Battalion, commanded by LTC Huff, attacked 2 fortified positions, including the heavily-defended Fort du Roule at Cherbourg, France. At that time, Cherbourg was the most important harbor in the world. For the Allies it was the vital gateway to Europe, indispensable for supplying their campaign in Western Europe. Throughout the attack LTC Huff was in constant contact with his officers and men, and his skillful use of supporting fire and tactical handling of his companies enabled him to take the 1st of the German positions with light casualties. His attack on Fort du Roule led to the Fort's surrender on 26 June and the capture of over 300 German prisoners, as well as valuable enemy material. LTC Huff's heroic leadership and determination under fire earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal. In January 1945, LTC Huff was captured by German soldiers and sent to Stalag 5A near Ludwigsberg, Germany, where 1,789 other American POWs were held. Gilmon's capture was first reported to the International Committee of the Red Cross on 20 January 1945, and the last report was made on 3 July 1945. Based on these two reports, he was imprisoned for at least 164 days, one of the shorter durations of captivity recorded, the average being 363 days. Ultimately, LTC Gilmon was returned to military control, liberated or repatriated. In October 1950, then-Lieutenant Colonel Huff was serving as Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea. On 10 October, LTC Huff's Battalion was engaged with enemy forces near Chonpou, Korea. The 2nd Battalion was engaged in the mission of attacking across the Yaesong-gang River in an attempt to capture the important city of Paekchan, and LTC Huff accompanied Company G, the lead company. Advancing on their objective, the lead company came under intense enemy small-arms fire from three sides which caused it to become momentarily confused and start falling back. LTC Huff reorganized the scattered troops, shifted them to flank defenses, and ordered a second company to pass through the first and renew the attack. The second company, led by LTC Huff personally, also came under intense fire and underwent several banzai charges. Although seriously wounded in the shoulder by small arms fire while repelling a banzai charge, LTC Huff refused to be evacuated for four hours, choosing to remain and hold his companies together by leadership and showing no fear. The largest weapons 2nd Battalion had at hand were 57-mm recoilless rifles and 60-mm mortars. LTC Huff showed superb leadership in this difficult night battle and eventually seized the high ground southeast of the bridge and the road. He remained with the Battalion until it was reorganized and instilled with enough determination to route the enemy and capture the objective, which it did. Only then did LTC Huff permit himself to be ordered by a medical officer to relinquish his command (to his XO) and be evacuated. This devotion to duty earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. Medals, Awards and Badges Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Medal Purple Heart Prisoner of War Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal United Nations Service Medal Republic of Korea War Service Medal Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (Second Award) Distinguished Service Cross Citation The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Gilmon A. Huff (ASN: 0-408081), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Huff distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Chonpou, Korea, on 10 October 1950. On that date, when the battalion was engaged in the mission of attacking across the Yaesong-gang River in an attempt to capture the important city of Paekchan, Colonel Huff accompanied the lead company. Advancing on their objective, the lead company came under intense enemy small-arms fire from three sides which caused it to become disorganized and start falling back. Rallying and reorganizing these scattered troops, Colonel Huff shifted them to flank defenses and ordered a second company to pass through the first and renew the attack. This second company, personally led by Colonel Huff, also came under intense fire and received several banzai charges. Although seriously wounded in repelling a banzai charge, he refused to be evacuated for four hours, but chose to remain and hold his companies together by sheer leadership and his inspiring fearlessness. Not until he had reorganized and instilled his battalion with his courageous determination to such a high degree that they routed the enemy and captured the objective, would Colonel Huff permit himself to be ordered by a medical officer to relinquish his command and be evacuated. General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 52 (February 2, 1951) Silver Star Medal Citation Lieutenant Colonel Gilmon A. Huff, 0408081, Infantry, 314th Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action as battalion commander in France. On 25 June 1944, the 2d Battalion, 314th Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Huff, attacked two fortified positions, one of which was the heavily defended Fort du Roule. Throughout the attack he was in constant contact with his officer and men, and his skillful use of supporting fire and tactical handling of his companies enable him to take the first of the enemy positions with light casualties. His attack on Fort du Roule led to the Fort's surrender and the capture of more than 300 prisoners, as well as valuable enemy material. His coolness under fire and heroic leadership reflect highest credit on the military forces of the United States. General Orders: Headquarters, 79th Infantry Division, APO 79, U.S. Army: General Orders No. 29 (24 July 1944) Honors Colonel Gilmon A. Huff has Honoree Record 309879, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is COL Gilmon Agustus Huff's memorial?
COL Gilmon Agustus Huff's memorial is located at: Upper Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA.
When did COL Gilmon Agustus Huff death?
COL Gilmon Agustus Huff death on 29 Apr 1999 in Snellville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA
Where are the coordinates of the COL Gilmon Agustus Huff's memorial?
Latitude: 34.2042007
Longitude: -82.3917007

Family Members:

Parent

Siblings

Mildred Sidney Huff Kellett

(1919 - 2012)

James Wallace Huff

(1924 - 1999)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Upper Long Cane Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2042007, -82.3917007

2. Harbison Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1918983, -82.3831024

3. Melrose Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1892014, -82.4017029

4. Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1769100, -82.3808100

5. Secession Hill Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1789560, -82.3750630

6. Trinity Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1753006, -82.3818970

7. Cold Spring Mennonite Church Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2341870, -82.4032290

8. Old Zion Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1967010, -82.4291992

9. John Thompson Family Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1725769, -82.3817139

10. Lakeview Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1725769, -82.3817139

11. Gilmer Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2152160, -82.4393790

12. Long Cane AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1686950, -82.3519250

13. Campfield Baptist Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2521080, -82.4093810

14. Clear Spring AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2567520, -82.3845480

15. Cypress Chapel AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2016520, -82.4645270

16. Guffin - Spence - Williams
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1533840, -82.4316000

17. Adams-Vann Family Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1445140, -82.3683540

18. Martin Family Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2356284, -82.4644769

19. Aiken Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2491989, -82.3285980

20. Eakin Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2492590, -82.3279530

21. Saint Peter AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1313130, -82.4150360

22. McCord Family Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1593330, -82.3181670

23. Gilgal Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2764015, -82.3497009

24. Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2378820, -82.3035520