MS HC79

Command Sergeant Major Adelchi Pilutti (Ret), an Ocean Springs resident born in Italy on December 18, 1921, was awarded the French Legion of Honor on December 9, 2014, for his World War II service.

CSM Pilutti served in the United States Army Airborne from January 1941 to November 1945 with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Red Devils) of the 82nd Airborne.

He participated in Operation Overlord, jumping into Normandy on June 6, 1944 at 2:15 a.m., and his regiment suffered 1,061 casualties (307 killed in action) out of 2,056 troops, with only 995 returning to England.

After World War II, CSM Pilutti served in the Mississippi National Guard from 1958 to 1981 and worked at Keesler Air Force Base until retiring in 1983.

CSM Pilutti earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other medals of honor for his bravery and is commended by the Mississippi Legislature for his military service.