World War II Honoree

Charles William Crary

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Salem, Oregon

Honored By

Carolyn Crary Flint

Relationship

Daughter

CHUCK JOINED THE NATIONAL GUARD AT AGE 16 AND SERVED WITH COMPANY B, 162ND INFANTRY (41ST INFANTRY DIVISION) FROM NOVEMBER 20, 1939 TO JULY 28, 1945. HIS UNIT WAS MOBILIZED INTO FEDERAL SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1940. HE BECAME AN INFANTRY SOLDIER ON ACTIVE DUTY. CHUCK WAS WOUNDED IN NEW GUINEA IN THE SALAMAUA CAMPAIGN. DURING HIS SERVICE HE EARNED THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, THE AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL (WITH ONE BRONZE STAR), THE WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL AND THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE MILITARY SERVICE ON JULY 28, 1945 WITH A CERTIFIED DISABILITY DISCHARGE AFTER TWO YEARS IN ARMY HOSPITALS.