John E. Atchley was born in 1924 in Lincoln County, TN. He entered the military service in Tennessee. On June 7, 1944, Private John E. Atchley served with Company H, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, First U.S. Army at Normandy, France.

On the day after D-Day, PVT Atchley's unit was in action against German forces in France. When the enemy counterattacked with tanks in the vicinity of Ste. Mere Eglise, one of the few antitank guns at the disposal of the defending force had been put out of action because most of its crew members were casualties. As the enemy tanks approached, PVT Atchley, despite the fact that he had never previously fired an antitank gun, left his place of cover and moved to man the gun. Without assistance, PVT Atchley's 2nd shot destroyed one of the advancing tanks, which resulted in the other tanks retreating. PVT Atchley's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Private First Class Atchley was Killed in Action (near Fosse/Province of Liège, Belgium) during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium on 3 January 1945. PFC Atchley had served in the Battle of Normandy, the Netherlands (Operation Market Garden) and the Battle of the Bulge.

A swimming pool at Fort Bragg, NC, is named in his honor.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private John E. Atchley (ASN: 34505971), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company H, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 June 1944, in France. When the enemy counterattacked with tanks in the vicinity of Ste. Mere Eglise, one of the very few antitank guns at the disposal of the defending force had been put out of action due to the fact that most of the members of its crew were casualties. As the enemy tanks approached, Private Atchley, despite the fact that he had never previously fired an anti-tank gun, left his place of cover and fearlessly moved over to man the gun. Although without aid, Private Atchley's second shot destroyed one of the advancing tanks, whereupon the other tanks turned about and retreated. The courage, daring and complete disregard for his life displayed by Private Atchley reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, http://www.militaryhallofhonor.com