His name was Charles Allen Bourne, Jr.  Born in 1925, he would later join the Army and serve with the 36^th Division. Originally organized from units of the Texas and Oklahoma National Guard for service in World War I, the 36^th was re-mobilized for federal service in 1940. One of the major units in the now famous Louisiana Maneuvers of 1941, this division became critical to the victory in WWII.  The 36^th was the first American combat Division to land on the continent of Europe, fighting up the boot of Italy until pulled out for special service against the infamous German Siegfried Line.

In August of 1944 and, as part of Operation Anvil, renamed Operation Dragoon, after the planning phase, Staff Sergeant Charles Bourne was part of the Allied landings in Southern France. The mission handed the 36^th Division was to clear a ridge deep inside the Vosges mountains. Finding themselves surrounded by the German Army, the 36^th was cut off from all support and supplies October 1944 and would forevermore be known as the “Lost Battalion”.  They endured five days of battle until October 30^th when rescued by the Army’s first all Japanese-American Nisei military unit, the 100^th Battalion / 442^nd Combat Infantry Group.  The 100^th/442^nd lost more than 400 men and half its force to save SSgt. Bourne and 229 of his brothers.

Charles Allen Bourne, Jr.      1925 – 2008

SSgt. Charles Allen Bourne, Jr. passed away earlier this month. I did not have the honor of meeting him. But his story, his passion, and his service live on in the hearts of those serving the same country he fought for 64 years ago. We are the greatest nation in the world because of men like him.

Thank you for your service SSgt. Bourne.