Always Remember Those Who Gave All: MC WW2 Gold Stars and MIA Survivors

Tollton Everett Coulter (1914-1945)

MC Class: 1937

Years at MC: 1933-1937

Hometown: Maryville, TN

Life at MC: Mathematics major; Football (all four years); Wrestling (all four years), Track (Freshman)

Military Branch: US Army

Military Unit: Company C, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division

Rank: 1st Lieutenant

Medals Awarded: Purple Heart (posthumous), Silver Star Medal (posthumous) with Bronze Oak Cluster

Date Missing: N/A

Date of Death: 26 April 1945

Location of Death: Germany (near the Danube River at Leipheim, Germany)

Circumstances of Death: Wounded in action 25 April 1945 near Danube River at Leipheim, Germany. Died of wounds the next day.

Burial/Memorial Information: Grandview Cemetery, Maryville, Blount County, Tennessee (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125213007/tollton-everett-coulter). Note that Findagrave entry includes photographs and biographical information. Also memorial at East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, World's Fair Park, Knoxville, Tennessee (https://etvma.org/veterans/tollton-coulter-sr-7403/)

Additional Information: Citation for Silver Star: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Tollton F. Coulter (ASN: 0-1328125), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 19 March 1945, in the vicinity of Frisheim, Germany. During the attack on the Siegfried Line, Lieutenant Coulter's company had the mission of taking eleven pillboxes. Lieutenant Coulter remained in the open directing fire of supporting tanks on the first pillbox and led the assault on the next four, capturing twenty-seven prisoners. With the aid of an English speaking prisoner, Lieutenant Coulter and two of his men entered each of the remaining pillboxes and captured a total of one hundred and ten prisoners. Lieutenant Coulter's outstanding gallantry under hazardous conditions, is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States." (https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/25712)

Citation for Bronze Oak Cluster in Lieu of 2nd Silver Star: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Tollton E. Coulter (ASN: 0-1328125), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 15 April 1945, in the vicinity of Eschanthal, Germany. Lieutenant Coulter, platoon leader, was the leading element in the attack on the town. As he approached it, the enemy opened fire on the company to his rear. Lieutenant Coulter, with his platoon sergeant, ran toward the town, killing several snipers as they moved forward and eliminating a machinegun nest. Noting that the company was no longer following, Lieutenant Coulter started to withdraw his company when he came across a wounded man which he assisted to the rear. Returning immediately, he helped direct artillery fire on targets previously observed. Lieutenant Coulter's outstanding gallant and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States." (https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/25712)

Additional Images:

1937 Maryville College Football Lineman

1937 Maryville College Football Wrestling Team: Coulter is in the front row, fifth from left