Basil L. Plumley

Basil L. Plumley
CSM(R) Basil Plumley at West Point, May 10, 2010
Born	(1920-01-01)January 1, 1920 Shady Spring, West Virginia, U.S.
Died	October 10, 2012(2012-10-10) (aged 92) Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Deurice Plumley (c. 1949 – 2012; her death)
Children	Debbie Kimble
Military career
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1942–1974
Rank	Command Sergeant Major
Unit	320th Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Normandy Operation Market-Garden Rhine Germany Korean War Battle of Porkchop Hill Vietnam War Ia Drang Valley
Awards	40AD
Other work	Administrative worker at Martin Army Community Hospital (1975–1990)

World War II

Korean War

Vietnam War

Basil L. Plumley (January 1, 1920 – October 10, 2012) was a career soldier and airborne combat infantryman in the United States Army who eventually achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major. A veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, he is most famous for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam.

Plumley enlisted in the United States Army as a private on March 31, 1942. He was a gliderman of the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw action during the Invasion of Normandy, and Operation Market Garden.

Plumley participated in two glider assaults in the European Theater. His first was on June 6, 1944, during the Invasion of Normandy, and his second was for Operation Market Garden on Sept. 18, 1944.

Plumley was shot in the hand the same day for which he received the Purple Heart and was awarded multiple decorations for his service in World War II.

Basil Plumley was stationed between 1951 through February 26, 1953 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky then he went to serve in Germany. He then fought in Korea during the final months of the Korean War, where he served at The Battle of Old Baldy, as well as the Battle of Porkchop Hill. For serving in Korea, Plumley received his 2nd Combat Infantryman Badge in 1953.