Charles Robert Arvin

My grandfather was stationed at Corregidor in the Philippians.  On this day in 1941 my grandmother told me he was on a ship crossing the Pacific to come home from his tour of duty.  When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the ship turned around and she did not see him until after the war was over.   All I have are stories of my grandfather as he died from cancer before I was born.

He was captured after the Battle of Corregidor Bay and spent the rest of the war in a Japanese Prisoner of war camp.  At the time of his rescue he was listed among the men on the rolls as Rokuroshi Camp along with 356 other men.  Among the most treasured possession my grandmother kept from his time at the camp was a large dictionary.  In it were the signatures of men at the camp, as well as sketches of daily life.  My mother let the Historian from the ADA at Ft. Bliss see this a few years ago, and because of this several men who were previously known as MIA were found as being with my grandfather as POW’s.

For his actions in battle Charles R Arvin was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Coast Artillery Corps) Charles Robert Arvin (ASN: 0-351611), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Battery A, 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), in action against enemy forces on 4 and 6 May 1942, at Corregidor, Philippine Islands. First Lieutenant Arvin's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 223 (1945)

Action Date: May 4 & 6, 1942

Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Battery A

Regiment: 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (AA)

As we take time to remember all of those who gave their lives and fought for our freedoms in WWII, I want to take a moment to remember a man I never knew, but heard so much about.

 * Image for award is from the Military Times Hall of Valor