World War II Honoree

Charles E. Overstreet

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Robert M. Gatewood

Relationship

Friend

CORPORAL. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS AS A RADIO OPERATOR IN THE HEADQUARTERS BATTERY OF THE 252ND FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION. KNOWN AS THE BASTARD BATTALION, THE 252ND WAS ATTACHED TO SEVERAL LARGER UNITS IN TURN, WHICHEVER NEEDED THEM THE MOST AT THE TIME. SAW ACTION FROM AACHEN TO THE RUHR CROSSING, THROUGH THE RHINELAND AND AT THE ELBE RIVER NEAR BERLIN BY WAR'S END. HIS COMMANDING OFFICER DISCOVERED THAT HE HAD A 35MM CAMERA AND ENJOYED TAKING PICTURES, SO HE WAS MADE THE BATTALION PHOTOGRAPHER. LEGACY INCLUDES ALMOST 1,000 WARTIME PICTURES.