Charles Edison Garvine was born in 1926, to Edison and Hannah Garvine who lived at 535 Olive Street in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.   Charles was their only child.  His father worked as a Ladleman at Lukens Steele Company.  His mother was the former Hannah Russell of West Chester.

 Charles attended the St. Cecilia’s parochial school on Main St., and became a member of the Church, and served as an alter boy.  He attended Gordon Junior High School on Main Street between 5^th and 6^th streets (the old High School building, currently used by the Coatesville School District Administration).  Charles then attended the newly opened S. Horace Scott High School on Stiring St. between 8^th and 9^th Avenues.  He graduated with the Class of 1943.

 Charles was in the Industrial course of studies, and was the Homeroom Vice President  in 1941, Glee Club 42, Social Dancing 43, Football 42, 43.   His yearbook describes him:

 “Charlie”  Tall…neat…wavy hair…full of mischief…gas rationing cramps his style of driving… plans to “Flying into the Blue”… a loyal rooter of Sante’s

 Sante’s was a popular Drug store on the SW corner of 8^th and Main, today the Royal Bouquet  flower shop occupies the building.

 Charles and Henry Mariano, were best friends and always together. Henry remembers that Charles always had a big smile on his face, was loved by everyone, and the girls chased him. Charles stood 6 feet tall, and weighed 190 pounds and had dark wavy hair.

 Charles entered the Army on September 23, 1943. He received training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, the Army’s Armor training center.  He was

assigned to the 1^st Army, 33^rd Armor Regiment, 3^rd Armor Tank Division, under General Patton..   Charles returned home on leave to spend Easter 1944 with his family.  His regiment shipped overseas to England 2 weeks after he returned from leave. Charles’s division landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 23^rd (about 2 weeks after the D-Day invasion). 

His division entered combat on June 23 near Villiers Fossard in Normandy.  They helped in the break out from St. Lo in late July.  They were then pulled off the battle line for a few days of rest and re-supply.  They were then ordered into battle on August 7^th to stop a major German counterattack towards Avranches. Charles’s unit became heavily engaged with German Panzer Tank Divisions of the German 7^th Army, near Les Menil Tove on August 9^th.  After a pitched 4 day battle , Charles regiment defeated the Germans.

His parents received the telegram from the War Department informing them of their son’s death, on Wednesday August 30^th.

 Charles was buried in the American Military cemetery at Marign, France. A Military Mass was held on Monday September 11^th at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church.  Father Thomas McNally, pastor of the church celebrated the mass. The service was widely attended by the community, and American Legion members.

 Charles was disinterred to be repatriated to his mother country in 1948.  His remains were transported back on the SS Lawrence Victory, and carried by military hearse to the Archie S. Maclean’s funeral home at  5^th Ave. and Main Streets in Coatesville. Staff Sergeant R. C. Huddy served as military escort. Friends paid their respect at the Home on Friday evening September 17^th.  A Solemn High Requiem Mass was held at St. Cecilia’s Church on Saturday September 18^th.  Father Thomas Am McNally celebrated the Mass, and Assistant pastor Rev. Frederick Wright and the Reverend Michael P Metro of St. Joseph’s Church assisted.  Members of the Sahler-Sedan VFW Post in the city stood as a Military guard of Honor.

 Charles was buried at St. Cecilia’s Cemetery in Coatesville. Among the pallbearers was his best friend, Henry Mariano, and Ed Horshock, brother of hero John Horshock. Mary Horshock was friends with Charles’ mother, Hannah, and but they became much closer after the death of her son.

 Henry Mariano frequently visited Charles’s parents, because of their closeness, and out of respect.  However it proved too difficult for Charles mother, Hanna, and would often send her into tearful depressions. Edison and Henry privately discussed this reaction, and agreed to refrain from visiting their home for Hannah’s sake.

For additional information: 

“Spearhead in the West: 1941-1945. The Third Armored Division." An official project of the Third Armored Division, published by Hq. U.S. Forces, European Theatre, October 11, 1945, Frankurt am Main, West Germany.