World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Charles S. Emerson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
New Haven County, Connecticut
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. HE WAS A PARATROOPER WHO JUMPED INTO FRANCE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944, OPERATION OVERLORD, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE. KILLED IN ACTION ON THE DAY OF THE INVASION AND IS BURIED AT THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY, COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: SILVER STAR, AWARDED FOR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN ACTION AND THE PURPLE HEART. HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, A NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD AND THE BELGIAN FOURRAGERE FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.