| Notes |
Summary
Charlie was born in Maine 21 years after his oldest sibling. His father died a year later and the family moved to Cambridge, MA. His mother died when he was 9 years old. He became a soldier in the U.S. Army and fought during both World War II and the Korean War.
Enlistment and War
Charlie enlisted in the Army on May 27, 1940. He was originally a member of the Yankee Division, 26th Infantry Division, a major formation of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He was likely a member of the 182nd Infantry Regiment, which along with the recently added 164th Infantry Regiment was transferred out of Yankee Division and assigned to Task Force 6814, on 14 January 1942. This task force was sent to Melbourne, Australia for nearly five months of combat training. Immediately following Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, the United States hurriedly sent three individual regiments to defend New Caledonia against a feared Japanese attack. On May 24, 1942, this task force became one of only two un-numbered divisions to serve in the Army during World War II. Known as the Americal Division, derived from a combination of "America" and "New Caledonia", it was comprised of the 182nd, 164th, and the 132nd Infantry Regiments.
Early in World War II Charlie fought at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
Later in the war he volunteered for a "Dangerous and Hazardous Mission" and trained for long-range penetration behind enemy lines in Japanese-held Burma as part of the special operations light infantry unit known as "Merrill's Marauders". In Burma Charlie served in Company B of the 1st Battalion 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received on May 24, 1944, most likely at Myitkyina, North Burma. After the Burma mission, the 5307th was consolidated into the 475th Infantry Regiment (the modern-day 75th Ranger Regiment).
Charlie may have returned to his previous unit in the Americal Division, as he was photographed at Kobe base in 1946. He re-enlisted in 1946 at Fort Devens, one year after WWII ended. He was honorably discharged on Decemeber 31, 1948.
Charlie re-enlisted again on February 17, 1949. He was stationed at Fort Benning with Company E of 15th Infantry Regiment. He married Shirley Schaub from New Orleans on July 31, 1950 - just prior to shipping out for Korea. In Korea he was a Master Sargeant in Company B of the 31st Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division. He was killed December 1, 1950 during the deadliest days of the war in a battle east of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. His body was not returned to the United States until 1955, five (5) years after his death.
Service timeline:
The date and division of his original enlistment is not known.
(1942-43) Guadalcanal
1943, Sept.: India training for Burma campaign (based on his 5307th service)
1944: India/Burma (listed as an original member of the 5307th)
1944, May: wounded, presumably at Charparte, north Burma.
1944, Aug.: (5307th became the 475th)
1945-46: Kobe, Japan; photographed in 1946 receiving his Purple Heart at Kobe army base in Japan for his wounds in Burma.
1946: Re-enlisted Fort Banks, Winthrop, MA. Assigned to Hawaiian Department.
1948: honorably discharged
1949: Re-enlisted; stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia training other soldiers. When war in Korea broke he was told he would not have to go because he had been in combat... but he chose to go.
1950: married a Shirley Schaub from New Orleans, Louisiana prior to shipping out to Korea.
1950: North Korea (First Inchon landings were Sept 15; his regiment landed at Inchon Sept 19 and took responsibility for the zone south of Seoul highway where they engaged in heavy fighting with North Korean soldiers. After Seoul was retaken, they headed for the Yalu River, he was KIA December 1 at Chosin Reservoir.)
World War II:
He fought at Guadalcanal; this would have been in either 1942 or 1943.
Later with US Army 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), 1st Battalion, Company B, White Combat Team in Burma with Merrill's Marauders. He Received multiple Purple Heart in World War II (per LHO)
Merrill's Marauders were the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) led by Brigadier General Frank Merrill. They were a US long range penetration special forces unit (US Army Rangers) which fought in the Burma Campaign of World War II. They were active from 1943-1944, being disbanded on August 10, 1944. Code named "Galahad", this unit was comprised of volunteers for a "Dangerous and Hazardous Mission". "Of the 2,750 to enter Burma, only 2 were left alive who had never been hospitalized with wounds or major illness" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrill%27s_Marauders ). In slightly more than five months of combat, the Marauders had advanced 750 miles through some of the harshest jungle terrain in the world, fought in 5 major engagements (Walawbum, Shaduzup, Inkangahtawng, Nhpum Ga, and Myitkyina) and engaged in combat with the Japanese Army on thirty-two separate occasions. Battling Japanese soldiers, hunger, fevers, and disease, they had traversed more jungle terrain on their long-range missions than any other U.S. Army formation during World War II. The men of the Merrill's Marauders enjoyed the rare distinction of having each soldier awarded the Bronze Star. In June 1944, the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation:
"The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. "
In January 1944 the 5307th was formed by Special Order #3 by transferring the original volunteers from 3 separate travel and training Casual Detachments 1688A, 1688B, & 1688C. Charlie was transferred from 1688A. (http://www.marauder.org/SO3.htm )
On 10 August 1944, the Marauders were consolidated to the 475th Infantry. A decade, later, on 21 June 1954, the 475th Infantry was re-designated as the 75th Infantry, thus, Merrill's Marauders is the parent, 75th Infantry Regiment, from which descends the contemporary 75th Ranger Regiment.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrill%27s_Marauders ).
Link to study entitled "Merrill's Marauders: Combined Operations in Northern Burma in 1944", by the Command and General Staff College: http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/resources/csi/Bjorge/BJORGE.asp
Lineage: In September 1943 volunteers travelled to India on a transport with a battalion from the United States which was to become the 1st BN, a battalion from the Caribbean area which was to become the 2d BN, and a battalion comprised of men serving in the South & Southwest Pacific areas which was to become the 3d BN. On 10 Oct 43 they organized at Deogarh, India as the 5307th Composite Regiment, Provisional, and were activated 1 Jan 44 under U.S. Army Forces in China-Burma-India; 2 Jan 44 redesignated as the 5307th Composite Unit, Provisional, also known as GALAHAD Force and Merrill's Marauders; organized into three long-range penetration battalions and entered Hukawing Valley Burma on 12 Feb 44; assigned to the Northern Combat Area Command on 8 May 44 and operated behind Japanese front lines, capturing Myitkyina Airfield along the Irrawaddy river 17 May 44; 3d Bn defeated at Charpate 24 May 44 and 2nd Bn driven from Namkwi 26 May 44; battled at Myitkyina until captured city 3 Aug 44 where disbanded on 10 Aug 44 and assets transferred to 475th Infantry Regiment (the modern-day 75th Ranger Regiment). (http://www.cbi-history.com/part_xi.html )
Charles is listed among "our brother Marauders who have answered the final roll call" (http://www.marauder.org/passing.htm )
Ogden, Charles A. - 20105959 - Pfc. - 5307th - 1950
and as a Private First Class in Company "B" SO#3, HQ 5307 Comp Regt, (Prov) 5 Jan 1944 (www.marauder.org), as a transfer from from Company A of the 1688th Casual Detatchment:
Ogden, Charles A. 20105959
Rank Last Name First MI Service # Bat. C.T. Comp.
Pfc Ogden Charles A. 20105959 1st White B
(C.T. = Combat Team... Blue, Khaki, Red, White, Green, Orange, Med, Hdq, )
WHITE COMBAT TM Commanding Officer: Maj. Caifson Johnson
Marriage:
Charlie married Shirley Schaub from New Orleans, Louisiana on July 31, 1950. They were married in Phenix City, Russell County, Alabama which is just over the state line from Fort Benning, Georgia. Shirley was employed as a social worker, but had served with the Red Cross during World War II, presumably in France as she is listed on the passenger list of the MS John Ericcson, a military transport ship leaving France in September, 1945 - the end of the war in Europe.
Korean War ('Conflict'):
US Army Reserve Infantry (branch) unit 31, INF RGT, 7th INF DIV
Killed during the Battle at the Chosin Reservoir (11/27/1950-12/6/1950)
Service Number: RA 20105959
In January 1946, General MacArthur restored his former guard of honor to active service at Seoul, Korea, assigning the 31st to the 7th Infantry Division. For the next 2 years the 31st Infantry performed occupation duty in central Korea, facing the Soviet Army across the 38th Parallel. In 1948, the occupation of Korea ended and the regiment moved to the Japanese island of Hokkaido, occupying the land of its former tormentor. When North Korean troops invaded South Korea in the summer of 1950, the 31st Infantry was stripped to cadre strength to reinforce other units being sent to Korea. In September, the division was restored to full strength with replacements from the U.S. and Koreans hastily drafted by their government and shipped to Japan for a few weeks training before returning to their homeland as members of American units. The 31st Infantry returned to Korea as part of MacArthur's United Nations "X Corps" tasked with invading Inchon, taking Seoul and then North Korea.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States) )
The first landings at Inchon occurred September 15; the 31st landed on September 19 and took responsibility of the zone south of Seoul highway. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:31st_Infantry_Inchon.jpg They engaged in heavy fighting with North Korean soldiers as X Corps took back Seoul. Afterwards X Corps proceeded into North Korea towards the Yalu River at it's border with Chineese Manchuria. After serveral warnings by China threatening involvement in North Korea, American and U.N. commanders believed China would not risk war, and that any Chinese soldiers in North Korea were in small numbers. After the successful campaigns at Inchon and Seoul the war seemed to be almost over. Soldiers were told they'd be home for Christmas. They were surprised at the Chosin Reservoir in late November as the 30,000 U.N. troops were surrounded by 60,000 Chinese. A brutal battle lasting 17 days ensued in freezing weather over extremely rough terain. U.N. forces retreated out of North Korea which was recaptured by China and the North Koreans. U.N. forces lost nearly 6,000 men in this battle and another 7,000 non-battle casualties many due to the cold weather; while the Chinese lost 19,000 in battle and another 29,000 non-battle casulties. The war dragged on for another two and half years.
"During the battle, UN casualties were buried in temporary grave sites along the road. Operation Glory took place between July to November 1954, during which the dead of each side were exchanged." The remains of nearly 4,000 US Soldiers and Marines were returned, with all but about 400 identified by name. Charlie's body was returned to the United States and he was buried in 1955.
Sources
Source Information: Ancestry.com
United States, Office of the Secretary of Defense. Korean Conflict Casualty File 1950-1957
Name: Charles A Ogden
Birth Date: 1922
Race: White
Home State: Massachusetts
Casualty Date: 1 Dec 1950
Casualty Country: North Korea Sector
Casualty Type: Killed in Action OR Missing in Action, KIA
Group: KIA or Missing in Action, KIA
Branch: Infantry
Component: USA - RA (Reg Army)
Rank: Master Sergeant
Pay Grade: Master Sergeant
Previous Detail: Missing in Action
Disposed Date: 1 Dec 1950
Disposed Place: North Korea
Organization: In Div - 7th
Element Sequence: Cv Div Cav Regt Inf
Unit #: 0031
Service Occupation: Light Weapons Assault Crewman OR Light Weapons Infantry Leader
(same source, listed twice:)
Name: Charles A Ogden
Birth Date: 1922
Gender: Male
Race: Caucasian
Home City: Middlesex
Home State: Massachusetts
Citizen Status: US Citizen
Death Date: 1 Dec 1950
Processed Date: Nov 1979
Casualty Country: Korea
Casualty Type: Hostile - Killed
Casualty Cause: US Army - No Information Available
Casualty Air: US Army - No Information Available
Service Branch: US Army
Component: Reserve (USAR, USNR, USAFR, USMCR, USCGR)
Rank: Master Sergeant
Pay Grade: First Sergeant (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps) Or Senior Master Sergeant (U.S. Air Force) Or Master Sergeant (U.S. Army) Or Grade/Rate Abbreviations With First Column: Any Entry; Second Column: Any Entry; Third Column: S; Fourth Column: Blank (U.S. Na
National Archives - Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946 (Enlistment Records).
http://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&rid=1840700
Field Title - Value - Meaning:
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 20105959 20105959
NAME OGDEN#CHARLES#A######### OGDEN#CHARLES#A#########
RESIDENCE: STATE 13 MASSACHUSETTS
RESIDENCE: COUNTY 017 MIDDLESEX
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 1326 FT BANKS BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 21 21
DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 01 01
DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 46 46
GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private
GRADE: CODE 8 Private
BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION TC# Transportation Corps
BRANCH: CODE 38 Transportation Corps
FIELD USE AS DESIRED # #
TERM OF ENLISTMENT 3 Enlistment for Hawaiian Department
LONGEVITY ### ###
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL K Undefined Code
NATIVITY 12 MAINE
YEAR OF BIRTH 22 22
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP 1 White, citizen
EDUCATION 0 Grammar school
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 499 Skilled occupations in manufacture of electrical machinery and accessories, n.e.c.
MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents
COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 1 Regular Army (including Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
CARD NUMBER # #
BOX NUMBER 0328 0328
FILM REEL NUMBER 3.50# 3.50#
According to the American Battle Monuments Commission website (http://www.abmc.gov):
Master Sergeant Ogden was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
|
1922 - 1950 (28 years)
[2] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
