World War II Honoree

Charles E. Cline

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Barnhill, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY JULY 24, 1943 AT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT AFTER HIS GRADUATION FROM THE FIELD ARTILLERY OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL ‘OCS’, WITH THE CLASS OF 24-42 AT FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA. SERVED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS WITH THE U.S. ARMY, HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 977TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION ASSIGNED TO THE 3RD INFANTRY ‘ROCK OF THE MARNE’ DIVISION ATTACHED TO THE UNITED STATES 5TH ARMY. ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1943, HE DIED IN A NON-BATTLE INCIDENT DURING THE 3RD DIVISION’S ATTACK ON THE MIGNANO GAP, WHICH BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 1943 NEAR THE VILLAGE OF SAN PIETRO INFINE, ITALY. HE WAS BURIED IN A BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY IN ITALY AND AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT IN THE MT. AUBURN MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY, GREENVILLE, ILLINOIS.