Peterson, Charles M

Charles M. Peterson was born on May 27, 1916 to Charles and Katherine Peterson of Malvern. He was one of five sons. Charles attended the St. Patrick’s School in Malvern. He left in the 8th grade to work to help support his family. In June, 1940 he married Rita Elliff of Philadelphia. Charles was employed as a bus driver and also worked at the Villa Maria Academy.

Charles entered service in the Army on June 3, 1943. He received training at Camp Croft, South Carolina. Charles was sent overseas to the European Theater of Operations in February, 1944.
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In his last letter home to his parents dated “on the Front May 10th” he wrote that they were fighting some of the toughest battles of the war, and he asked that they pray for him.

Charles was critically wounded in combat on May 11, 1944 at Anzio beachhead in Italy and died of his wounds on May 12th. Charles was buried at the Carano military cemetery in Italy. In 1948 at the request of his family, he was returned home for burial in his home country.

Services were held through the Mauger Funeral home in Malvern with a military funeral at St. Patrick’s. Units from the Dalton-Wanzel Post American Legion and the Upper Main Line Post 5203 participated. Interment was at St. Agnes Cemetery in West Chester.

Charles' brothers, William, Thomas, and Arthur also served during the war.

Credits

 
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC