World War II Honoree

Charles Harold Avent

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Memphis, Tennessee

Honored By

Robert W. Avent

Relationship

Son

DOCTOR; JOINED THE ARMY MEDICAL CORPS JUNE 25, 1942, AS A CAPTAIN AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE THIRD AUXILIARY SURGICAL GROUP AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. ON DECEMBER 8, 1942 HE AND HIS UNIT SAILED FOR ENGLAND ON THE QUEEN MARY. SERVED AS CHIEF SURGEON OF THE 44TH EVACUATION HOSPITAL DURING THE EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN AFTER PREVIOUSLY SERVING IN NORTH AFRICA (7th Station Hospital in Oran), AND SICILY (11TH EVAC HOSPITALS). TRANSFERRED TO THE 44TH IN MARCH OF 1944 WHERE HE WAS MADE CHIEF OF SURGERY. THE 44TH EVAC HOSPITAL, LOCATED IN MALMEDY, WAS ALMOST CAPTURED DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE IN DECEMBER OF 1944. THE HOSPITAL WAS ATTRIBUTED WITH DOING A MAGNIFICENT JOB IN ATTEMPTING TO SAVE EMACIATED SLAVE LABORERS FREED AT THE NORDHAUSEN, GERMANY, V-BOMB PLANT. HE WAS AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE IN EUROPE FROM JUNE 19, 1944 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 1944. HIS CITATION WAS FOR THE RAPID ORGANIZATION AND SETTING UP OF HIS HOSPITAL WHICH ENABLED IT TO RENDER IMMEDIATE AND EFFICIENT MEDICAL SERVICE TO LARGE NUMBERS OF SERVICEMEN AND FOR HIS OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT AND SKILL.