SSG Charles Henry Blackledge

SSG Charles Henry Blackledge was born 9 Mar 1922 in Mississippi to Charles Robert and Edna (Calhoun) Blackledge.  The family farmed and father Charles also ran a farm supply store.

Charles entered the service in September 1942. Sent overseas, he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry sometime before 6 Jun 1944.  He was wounded by shrapnel in his left shin on 12 Jun 1944 but remained on duty.  On 24 Jun 1944 he was promoted to PFC.  On 25 Jul 1944, Charles was again promoted, this time to SSG apparently skipping the rank of SGT.  5 days later, on 30 Jul 1944, Charles was wounded and evacuated to the hospital. He died of his wound(s) on 9 Aug 1944.


SSG Blackledge was repatriated in 1948 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, Mississippi.