PVT Charles Lawrence Kestler Jr. was born 12 May 1925 in Galveston, Texas. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to Charles Lawrence and Helen Agnes (Appenbrink) Kestler. Interestingly Charles and Helen's 2nd child, also a son, was also named Charles Lawrence Kestler Jr. but had died as an infant the year before our soldier was born. The elder Charles worked as a shipping clerk to support his family reportedly earning $1820 in 1939. The extended family was then living with Helen's father and brother who were working as a carpenter and general contractor respectively and Helen's sister, Leola and her family of 4. The combined incomes of the family was about $4700. This large family all lived at 3427 Avenue R in Galveston which was valued at $10,000 in 1940. Charles completed 3-years of high school before going to work at the Harvey House at the Union Depot in Galveston.
Charles was drafted in July 1943. After completing his basic military training PVT Kestler was sent to England, probably in January or February 1944. He was transferred from the replacement depot to F Company 116th Infantry on 19 Jun 1944 to serve as a rifleman and fought with the unit in the bocage of Normandy. PVT Kestler was shot and killed in action on 12 Jul 1944 near Saint-Lo, France.
PVT Kestler rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.
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