- Home
- World War II
- Army & Army Air Corps
- Simcox, Charles F
Simcox, Charles F
Charles Simcox was born October 22, 1922 to Charles and Emma Simcox who lived in West Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania. Charles was one of 11 children.
Charles attended West Chester Junior High School. He left school to help support his family, a common way of life during the depression. Charles worked at the Bickman Paper Mills in Downingtown. He became engaged to Betty Roth.
Charles volunteered for service in the Army in September, 1942. After basic and advanced training, he was shipped to the European Theater of Operations in June, 1944.
Charles attended West Chester Junior High School. He left school to help support his family, a common way of life during the depression. Charles worked at the Bickman Paper Mills in Downingtown. He became engaged to Betty Roth.
Charles volunteered for service in the Army in September, 1942. After basic and advanced training, he was shipped to the European Theater of Operations in June, 1944.
He was assigned to the 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry “Blue Ridge” Infantry Division, also known as “Patton’s Troubleshooters”. Hero Robert Miller from Malvern also served in this division in the 318th Regiment.
Charles trained in England, and was ferried to France on Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) and Liberty ships, landing at Omaha Beachhead in Normandy on August 2 (D-Day plus 57). On August 8th, his division went into battle over the LeMans bridgehead in the XX Corps area. They were hastily ordered into battle to stop the German counterattack at Avranches.
The 80th division maneuvered to close a loop around the Germans, called the Falaise Pocket, then mopped up the area capturing thousands.
Charles was wounded in action on September 16th, and was awarded a Purple Heart. After recovery, he returned to duty.
In November, Charles division maintained a defense west of Seil, preparing for the Third Army’s sweep into the vital industrial Saar Basin. This sweep began on November 8th with the 80th division advancing across the basin with heavy casualties.
After a well deserved rest in late November, the division was hastily called on line to stop the German advances during the Battle of the Bulge.
Staff Sergeant Charles Simcox was killed in action on December 24, 1944 in Luxembourg. He was buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, as well as the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster (a second Purple Heart).
His brother Walter was a Navy Gunner’s Mate Third Class in the South Pacific.
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC
Charles trained in England, and was ferried to France on Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) and Liberty ships, landing at Omaha Beachhead in Normandy on August 2 (D-Day plus 57). On August 8th, his division went into battle over the LeMans bridgehead in the XX Corps area. They were hastily ordered into battle to stop the German counterattack at Avranches.
The 80th division maneuvered to close a loop around the Germans, called the Falaise Pocket, then mopped up the area capturing thousands.
Charles was wounded in action on September 16th, and was awarded a Purple Heart. After recovery, he returned to duty.
In November, Charles division maintained a defense west of Seil, preparing for the Third Army’s sweep into the vital industrial Saar Basin. This sweep began on November 8th with the 80th division advancing across the basin with heavy casualties.
After a well deserved rest in late November, the division was hastily called on line to stop the German advances during the Battle of the Bulge.
Staff Sergeant Charles Simcox was killed in action on December 24, 1944 in Luxembourg. He was buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, as well as the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster (a second Purple Heart).
His brother Walter was a Navy Gunner’s Mate Third Class in the South Pacific.
Credits
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC