Remembering World War II

Name: Charles Wilfred Penney Rank: Private 1st Class Service Number: 31228998 Service: Company K, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, US Army Awards: Distinguished Service Cross Date of Birth: April 1, 1922 Place of Birth: Auburndale, Lunenburg Co., NS Date of Enlistment: November 2, 1942 Place of Enlistment: Boston, Massachusetts Address at Enlistment: 86 Glen St., Somerville in Boston, Middlesex Co., NS Age at Enlistment: 19 Height: 5 feet, 7½ inches Complexion: Ruddy Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Blue Occupation: Stock clerk Marital Status: Single Next of Kin: Mrs. Walter Cooke (Relationship Unknown) Date of Death: April 20, 1945 Age: 23 Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Co., Virginia Grave: Section 34, Grave 2778 Charles Wilfred Penney was the son of Archibald Wilfred Penney (1896-1941) and Lela Mae Wentzel (1902- 1937). His father was born in Auburndale, NS, his mother in Lunenburg Co., as well. Charles’ uncle Laurie Eugene Penny (Service No. 734105) served Canada in the First World War with the Royal Canadian Regiment and died June 8, 1917 with no known grave. He is remembered on the Vimy Memorial. Charles was born in April of 1922, and by September 1923 had moved to the US with his family travelling aboard the SS Prince Arthur from Yarmouth, NS to Boston, MA on September 23, 1923. In 1930, the family was living on Pearl Street in Somerville, Mass. Charles, his parents, his two younger brothers, Lester E. and Harold A. also had Charles’ mother’s younger sister Edith Novella Wentzell (1906-1993) living with them. Charles completed his Declaration of Intention to become a US citizen on June 27, 1942 in Boston, Mass. Three days later, he registered for the US Draft on June 30, 1942, in Somerville. His parents had both died, and he was living with his aunt Edith. His next of kin was listed as Mrs. Walter Cooke. Charles was assigned to Company K of the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, US Army. Private 1st Class Charles Wilfred Penney was killed in action April 20, 1945 in Okinawa. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private 1st Class Charles W. Penney (ASN: 31228998), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces on 20 April 1945. Taraliam2 Private 1st Class Penney's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Charles was initially interred on Ie Island or Ie Shima in Okinawa, Japan and was re-interred July 14, 1949, at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Charles Wilfred Penney

Source: valor.militarytimes