- SURNAME
Edgar
- FORENAME
Charles Richard
- UNIT
formerly 1st Marine Parachute Regiment
- RANK
Corporal
- NUMBER
441151
- DATE OF DEATH
13th March 1945
- AGE
22
- GRAVESITE
Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Section C-25, Site 14343
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 17.06.1922, Warren, Minnesota, USA
father Thomas Edgar (1880-1931)
mother Winnifred Edith (nee Erickson) Edgar (1887-1961)
employed by Winnie Edgar (family farm)
30.06.1942 draft card Brislet, Minnesota
08.1942 entered service
Next of kin - Mother, Mrs. Winnie Edith Edgar, Route 3, Warren, Minnesota
KIA Iwo Jima
posthumous Navy Cross
DATE OF DEATH:
13-Mar-1945CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Charles R. Edgar (MCSN: 441151), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Acting Platoon Sergeant serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the action at Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, on 13 March 1945. Leading his platoon against a strong Japanese force occupying the high, commanding ground on the northern tip of the island, Corporal Edgar fearlessly defied the shattering bursts of grenade and automatic weapon fire pouring down on his men to make his tenuous way over the jagged, rocky terrain to a position approximately fifty yards from the heavily fortified enemy bunker delivering the devastating barrage which was holding up the advance of his platoon. Determined to knock out the powerful and stubborn Japanese position but unable to silence it with grenades, he unhesitatingly risked his life to work forward under the rain of fire and, placing a deadly demolition charge directly against the pillbox, succeeded in destroying the strategic installation. Instantly killed by an enemy sniper as he withdrew, Corporal Edgar, by his unfaltering leadership, bold tactics and great personal valor in the face of tremendous odds, had enabled his platoon to seize its objective and continue the relentless drive north. His dauntless spirit of self-sacrifice throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/7697FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/613594/charles-richard-edgar
Last edited:
