PFC Shelton H. Mullis
Today we honor and remember PFC Shelton H. Mullis of the 101st Airborne Division.
Private First Class (PFC) Shelton Hurley “Shelley” Mullis of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born at Marshville, Union County, North Carolina, to Hurley M. and Maud G. (Gayle) Mullis on November 23, 1918. Shelley had four brothers, Odell, Archie R., Billy M., and Boyce L. Mullis. His brother Billy died at age 19, on January 28, 1944.
In 1937, he moved to Indian Land, in an unincorporated community in the northernmost part of Lancaster County, South Carolina. Shelley got a job at Springs Industries in Fort Mill, a cotton textile company.
Shelley Mullis enlisted into the United States Army at Fort Mill, South Carolina, on September 19, 1940. At the time he was still single, but he later married Miss Erlene Howey of Fort Mill in York, South Carolina, on September 19, 1941. Their marriage was blessed with a son, David Shelton Mullis, who was born on July 20, 1943.
PVT Mullis received his basic training at Camp Croft, South Carolina. He went overseas from Fort Meade, Maryland, in June of 1944. While he was in England, he volunteered for paratroop training. After completing his training, he was assigned to the 502nd, and was transferred from its Service Company to Easy/502 on August 11, 1944.
PVT Mullis made his first combat jump with Easy Company during the invasion of the Netherlands for Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944. Apparently, he performed his duties in battle satisfactorily, as he was promoted to Private First Class on September 29, 1944.
His second combat operation for the 101st Airborne Division started when he was rushed to Bastogne, Belgium.
The trucks carrying the paratroopers left from Mourmelon, France, at the end of the afternoon on December 18, 1944. The 502nd held the frontline on the west side of the perimeter, facing toward the west, where for the first six days the enemy only made swift passes. The regiment had little fighting activity until Christmas, when the Germans made a huge attack in the Champs area. It was here, where the companies of the 1st Battalion and the regimental HQ Company of the 502nd PIR, along with the 3rd Battalion of 327th GIR on their left side, were holding the line. The next day also saw heavy fighting in that area.
PFC Shelley Mullis survived one of the last major attacks of the Germans in the vicinity of Longchamps and Monaville on January 3, 1945, only to be mortally wounded a week later.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
PFC Shelley Mullis was 26 years of age when he died of wounds sustained at the Belgium frontline, on January 10, 1945.
He was initially buried at the Temporary Military Cemetery at Grand Failly, France, at Plot G, Row 11, Grave 261. PFC Shelley Mullis’ body returned at Fort Mill in November 1948, where he was reburied at Unity Cemetery. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Shelley.
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸
The sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.