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Personal info

Full name
VELLA, Charles James
Date of birth
5 October 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Chassell, Houghton County, Michigan
Hometown
Wayne County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
36579034
Rank
Technician Fifth Grade
Function
unknown
Unit
F Company,
2nd Ranger Battalion
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
30 March 1945
Place of death
Emmerhausen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
J 18 15

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Vella (father)
Loney Vella (mother)
Joseph F. Vella (brother)
George Vella (brother)

More information

Charles Vella landed with the 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day.

He was wounded in action in December 1944, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for the first time.

Source of information: Terry Hrisch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.rangerroster.org, WWII Draft Cards

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Detroit Free Press - 9 May 1943