BLOXHAM, Charles W. 1919-1944

BLOXHAM, BARNETT, MAY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 6/15/2010 at 20:16:32

Memorial services for Staff Sergeant Charles W. Bloxham, who was killed in action on New Guinea Island June 23 according to the War Department, were held at the U.B. church at Forest Mills Sunday. The church was unable to provide room for the many who had come to pay homage and many people had to remain outside the edifice. The Rev. Melvin L. Hall had charge of the service which included the following numbers: Prelude, "Does Jesus Care," solo, "Precious Lord Take My Hand;" Scripture reading from Psalms, Deuteronomy and John; prayer; instrumental duet, "More Love To Lee;" reading of the obituary; solo, "I Wonder Have I Done My Best For Jesus;" sermon, "The Eternal Shelter;" benediction. The soloist was Rev. Joseph Dahl, pastor of the Alliance Chapel of Waukon.

Charles W. Bloxham was born September 13, 1919, as the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bloxham in Franklin township, near Cherry Valley. He attended the Chery Valley school and until his enlistment in the army had been employed in the Forest Mills community. He entered the army on February 17, 1941, before this country entered the war. He was married to Dorothy Barnett July 8, 1943, and to this union a daughter was born on May 13, 1944. Charles and his brother, James, a corporal, had been together throughout their training period in camps in this country. When Charles was ordered overseas, it appeared that James would be left behind. But James had himself reduced to a private so he could remain with Charles and together they then went overseas in the same outfit. In the New Guinea action on June 23, the War Department message stated, Charles was killed in battle. He is survived by his wife, the two months old daughter, Gail Elaine, his step-daughter, April Sue, three years old, his parents, four brothers, Pfc. James in New Guinea, Keigh, Ronald and Richard, and two sisters, Mrs. Betty May who lives in Louisiana and Lorna.

~1944 newspaper clipping, from the scrapbook of Nina Harris Swenson, annotated "Killed June 23 in S.W. Pacific"
~note: burial is in Fort William Mckinley, Manila, Philippines.

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Added by Mary Durr 11/18/2012:

Silver Star Is Awarded Posthumously to Bloxham

Official notice has been received by the wife of the late Charles Bloxham that he will be awarded the silver star posthumously. The message reads "For gallantry in action. Under heavy enemy artillery, rifle and machine gun fire he went to the aid of a wounded member of his squad thereby sacrificing his own life."

The late Charles Bloxham was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army serving in the New Guinea area at the time of his death which occurred on June 23. He enlisted in the service.

Staff Sergeant Bloxham is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bloxham of Postville. Another brother, Cpl. James Bloxham,also serves. Besides his wife, a small daughter also survives. They reside in Missouri.

~Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, hand dated January 1945, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.