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Wartime Heritage
ASSOCIATION
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