US AIRBORNE

The Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Fulbrook Gorham died July 14th, 1943 leading his men during the battle for the Ridge of Biazza in Sicily, Italy. He had 28 years old and was a recipient of 2 Distinguished Service Crosses.

Arthur Fulbrook Gorham was born on January 11th, 1915 in Brooklyn, New York. Several years later, the family moves to Bellevue in Ohio. Arthur Gorham followed the lessons of Exchange High School. Then, he studied in Stanton Preparatory Academy de Cornwall in New York and in Miami University in Oxford in Ohio.
Finally, in 1934 he studies to the military academy of West Point.

He is a part of the class 1938. He received his officer's diploma.

On June 21st, 1939, he got married to Corrine Bennett to Wichita in Kansas, before leaving to join the 30th Infantry to Presidio to San Fransisco.
Two years later, the Lieutenant and Mrs Gorham leave for Strong Benning. He was one of first officers considered paratrooper.

In 1942, Arthur Gorham, appointed Captain takes the command of the Company B of the 504th PIR to Alta in Utah.
In this time, the United States tested a new shape of paratrooper troops. The Paras-skiers. But jumped with ski pulled a great deal of legs and of ankle broken. The idea was abandoned.

Arthur Gorham was a good commander, always to give the example, taking initiatives, very intelligent. The men appreciated him a lot.

During summer, 1942, the 505th PIR was activated to Fort Benning. Arthur Gorham received the command of the 1st battalion. The training became intensified. Lt. Col. Gorham sweated together with his men, always in the head.
But his brilliant officer's career was brutally stopped during the campaign of Sicily, in July, 1943.

During the battle for Gela, from 11 till 14 July 1943, Arthur Gorham, always in the head of his men of to face the attack of a tank German tiger.

Gorham orders to his small group to stay in the ground. On a clear, unprotected ground, carrying his bazooka, he approaches the tank, trying to by-pass him to fire at the back of the tank, the most vulnerable part. In 50 metres, he kneels down, arm his bazooka. But the tank reacts faster and in a big flash of lighting fire at Gorham and kill him.

For his actions in the head of his men of the 1st battalion of the 505th PIR in Sicily, Lt. Col. Gorham lives awarded two Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart.
The General Gavin will say about him:
"Most of the combat success of the regiment in Sicily was due to Art and the men of his command."

The General Ridgway describes him:

"The action which resulted in his death was typical of his inspiring leadership, for it was he that personally instilled the spirit of the attack at a time that those around him were thinking only of defense, and in person led the attack, which succeeded. His indomitable spirit acknowledged no odds."

The Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Gorham is buried in the Cemetery of Bellevue, Bellevue, Ohio.