World War II Honoree

Charles Edwin Pearce, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Kenneth R. Pearce, Sr. & Walterene Pearce

Relationship

Brother & Daughter

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 3, 1943 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS. TRAINED AS A RIFLEMAN (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 745) AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MAY 13, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO COMPANY C, 119TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 30TH INFANTRY ‘OLD HICKORY’ DIVISION AND FOUGHT WITH THEM THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED BY ENEMY ACTION 3 TIMES IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF 1944 AND IN JANUARY OF 1945, AFTER WHICH HE WAS SENT TO THE U.S. FOR TREATMENT. RETURNED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER ON MARCH 11, 1945 AND REJOINED HIS UNIT IN COMBAT FOR THE DURATION. EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE 1ST CLASS ON NOVEMBER 29, 1945 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.