World War II Honoree

Charles M. Haller

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cincinnati, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY JULY 27, 1942 AT CINCINNATI, OHIO AND TRANSFERRED TO CAMP WHITE LOCATED AT MEDFORD, OREGON. SERVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION SECTION, HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY, 300TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION ATTACHED TO THE UNITED STATES 4TH ARMY. THE BATTALION WAS SHIPPED TO ENGLAND IN DECEMBER OF 1943 AND TRAINED FOR THE IMPENDING D-DAY INVASION NEAR SWIDON, LOCATED IN THE AREA OF CHISLEDON, WILKSHIRE, ENGLAND. ON JUNE 18, 1944 HIS BATTALION BOARDED THE UNITED STATES NAVY LANDING SHIP TANK-523 ‘LST’ AT PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND AND PROCEEDED TO NORMANDY, FRANCE. IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THE NINETEENTH, THE LST ARRIVED ABOUT ONE MILE OFFSHORE OF UTAH BEACH AND WAITED FOR THE INCOMING TIDE. WHEN THE SHIP BEGAN MOVING TOWARD THE BEACH, A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION OCCURRED AND IT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SINK. THE EXPLOSION, IN WHICH HE WAS KILLED WAS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY AN ENEMY UNDERWATER NAVAL MINE. HE WAS REPORTED AS MISSING IN ACTION, LOST AT SEA MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1944 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. DECORATION AND CITATION: THE LIEUTENANT WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.