Thanks guys, I'm glad you're enjoying these. Sadly, I have found that vehicle accidents were a somewhat common cause of death for many young GIs returning from the war. They were a more prolific killer back then.
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Charles Pelo was born in Wimber, Pennsylvania, on December 25th, 1920. He had a grammar school-level education. By 1940, he was 5’10.5” tall, 160 pounds, had blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion. He lived on Charleston Road in Newton Falls, Ohio, and worked at Atlas Powder Company.
Charles was drafted and entered service on August 20th, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was assigned serial number 35321093. He went on to serve in Company D, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, fighting in Northern France, the Battle of the Bulge, the Rhineland, Central Germany, and Czechoslovakia. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Just a month after the end of hostilities, he came down with a serious illness, and was hospitalized until March 1946. He was honorably discharged after his release.
Charles remained in Newton Falls, Ohio, for the rest of his life, and died on June 29th, 1964. He is buried at Newton Township Cemetery West Side in Newton Falls.
Photo: Two men of Company E, 104th Infantry Regiment, near Wiltz, Luxembourg, January 15th, 1945
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