Welcome to Coolidge Park
Dedicated to a true American Hero
Charles Henry Coolidge of Signal Mountain Congressional Medal of Honor winner c1965
The Congressional Medal of Honor This country's highest honor
Charles H. Coolidge was born on Signal Mountain, Tennessee in 1921. After graduation from Chattanooga High School he went to work for the TVA until he joined the Army in 1942. Charles saw action with the 36th infantry in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria. In October 1944 in Southern France Coolidge's company came upon a platoon of German Infantrymen with tank support. He called for them to surrender but, the enemy opened fire. Coolidge returned fire wounding two. T-Sgt. Coolidge assumed leadership as there was no officer present.
After a few days Coolidge armed himself with a bazooka and advanced to within twenty five yards of the tank. His bazooka failed to fire so, he cast it aside and secured all the grenades he could carry and crawled toward the enemy inflicting heavy casualties. He then directed a withdrawal with himself being the last to leave. The next day when they regained their position they found forty four dead Germans of which twenty six of those had died by grenade blasts. Sixty other Germans had been wounded in the four day ordeal.
On V E Day Coolidge received a letter from home. In it his mother talks about his being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. To Charles Coolidge this was a surprise as he had not yet been informed of the honor. The Army had notified his family before he had been notified.
On August 8, 1945 thousands of people from the area turned out in Chattanooga to honor Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor winner. Most businesses and government offices closed and five thousand residents came out to honor their local hero. Years later thousands turned out to once again honor Charles H. Coolidge as the city park which bears his name was opened on the Tennessee River right near the printing company he owned. Coolidge Park has been a god send for the North Shore and City of Chattanooga.
When visiting Coolidge Park remember T-Sgt Charles H. Coolidge whose name adorns the park and always remember our that freedom isn't free. We have what we have because of true American heroes like Charles Henry Coolidge.
Coolidge Park started as a small park as seen above
Present day Coolidge Park after major expansion
Summer water fun at Coolidge Park
Relaxing with friends at Coolidge Park
A Parks Dept. worker plants a tree at Coolidge Park
An un-planned pond at Coolidge Park Flood of 2003
Fountain waiting for the visitors
Night-time water fun at Coolidge Park
Ticket Office at Coolidge Park Carousel 2008
This carousel is around 100 years old and was bought from Atlanta, Ga. Each figure was hand carved by students of Horsing Around located at W.38th and Tennessee Ave. in historic St. Elmo 2008
Carousel Building and Walker Pavilion 2008
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