U.S. MINT WORLD WAR II BRONZE STAR
Corporal
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Charles enlisted as a Private in the Marines on January 3rd 1942, in Wilkes -Barre, Pennsylvania. On January 4th he was transferred to the 8th Recruitment Battalion, Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. |
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Private Rundle joined Company “F”, Training Center, Quantico, Virginia on January 24th 1942. |
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Pvt. Rundle joined 1st Signal Co. 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Marine Brigade, New River, North Carolina on February 8th 1942. His rate was changed to Specialists 5th Class (telephone lineman). |
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Pvt. Rundle was transferred to Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Brigade on March 21st 1942. He then embarked aboard the Attack Transport U.S.S. McCawly, in Norfolk, Virginia on April 4th 1942.
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June 18th 1942
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By May 10th 1942 the U.S.S. McCawly was underway towards Western Samoa, for Island Defense. Pvt. Rundle was promoted to Private 1st Class on June 18th 1942
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PFC Rundle was promoted to Corporal on December 21st 1942. He embarked aboard the U.S.A.T. Puebla November 3rd 1943 and joined Signal Company, Defense Forces, Samoan group on November 5th 1943. Days later on November 8th 1943 he joined battery “B” Pack Howitzer Battalion.
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December 21st 1942
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Corporal Rundle sailed aboard the Transport U.S.S. Heywood on January 7th 1944 from American Samoa and arrived at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands on January 31st 1944. Anchored at Atoll through February 14th 1944. Cpl. Rundle was part of task force that assaulted the Atoll and captured it. Of the entire force of about 8,000 Japanese guarding Majuro and Kwajalein, only 51 survived, and 253 were taken prisoner. The Americans suffered 348 men killed, 1,462 wounded, and 183 missing in the eight days it took to take the atoll |
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Of those soldiers and sailors engaged, 313 Americans died, 879 were wounded, and 77 were reported missing on Eniwetok Atoll, while the Japanese suffered much heavier losses with 3,380 dead and 105 captured. This marked an end to the Marshall Islands campaign. Cpl. Rundle embarked aboard the U.S.S. William P. Biddle and sailed for Guadalcanal on April 8th 1944. |
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Corporal Rundle arrived and disembarked the U.S.S. William P. Biddle on Guadalcanal April 13th 1944. On May 3rd 1944 Cpl. Rundle's designation changed to Pack Howitzer Battalion, 22nd Marines. On May 6th 1944 Cpl. Rundle joined the Signal Company, of the recently reactivated 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and sailed aboard the Attack Transport U.S.S. Ormsby bound for the Pacific Island of Guam June 4th 1944.
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Cpl. Rundle arrived at Guam, Marianas Islands, July 21st 1944, disembarked & participated in the initial landing operations and battle against enemy forces while capturing Guam. the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed near Agat to the south. Japanese artillery sank 20 L.V.T.’s and inflicted heavy casualties on the landing troops, especially of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, but by 09:00 marines and tanks were ashore at both beaches. During the initial assualt Cpl. Rundle carried a wounded tractor man ashore on a stretcher to the protecting palm trees along the beach. For his bravery during the Battle of Guam Cpl. Rundle was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" device and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.
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“During the first couple of hours there wasn’t much need for wire, so I helped get the wounded out of the amphibian tractors which had been hit by Japanese Artillery” Corporal Rundle said. |
Bronze Star Citation:
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“For heroic achievement during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, on July 21st 1944. While serving as a member of an advanced message center landing against heavy opposition on the beach, he observed a wounded man aboard a stranded landing craft approximately 150 yards off shore. In spite of enemy fire covering this sector, Corporal Rundle unhesitatingly risked his life and assisted by a comrade went to the aid of the wounded man. Working in waist deep water and exposed to enemy small arm fire he successfully carried the wounded man to safety. His outstanding courage and heroic conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. "
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Navy Unit Commendation Citation:
“For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion of Guam, Mariana islands from July 21st to August 10th 1944. Functioning as a combat unit for the first time, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade forced a landing against strong hostile defenses and well camouflaged positions, steadily advancing inland under the relentless fury of the enemy’s heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire to secure a firm beachhead by nightfall, executing a difficult turning movement to the north, this daring and courageous unit fought its way ahead yard by yard through mangrove swamps, dense jungles and over cliffs and, although terrifically reduced in strength under the enemy’s fanatical counterattacks, hunted Japanese in caves, pillboxes and foxholes and exterminated them. By their individual acts of gallantry and their Indomitable fighting teamwork throughout this bitter and costly struggle the men of the first provisional Marin brigade aided immeasurably in the restoration of Guam to our sovereignty”
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Cpl. Rundle sailed from Guam on August 31st 1944 aboard transport U.S.S. Cape Cleare and arrived back and disembarked at Guadalcanal on September 14th 1944. While in transit the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was deactivated the 6th Marine Division. Cpl. Rundle's designation changed to Signal Company, 6th Marine Division. A death in Cpl. Rundle's family brought him back home to the States in early December and on December 27th 1944 he joined Company “C” Signal Battalion Training Command, Fort Lejeune, North Carolina. On January 5th 1945 Cpl. Rundle was transferred to the 3rd Guard Company, and on January 30th he joined the 1st Guard Company, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. |
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Cpl. Rundle joined the 1st Guard Company on December 3rd 1945, and then joined Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Philadelphia. The Cpl. was admitted to the U.S. Naval Hospital December 14th 1945 after suffering a seizure followed by 5 minutes of unconsciousness He was diagnosed with Epilepsy on January 31st 1946. Cpl. Rundle's condition made him permanently unfit for service, he was Honorable Discharged from the Marines on February 13th 1946. In addition to the Bronze Star Medal and Unit Citation he was entitled to the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 battle stars, and a World War II Victory Medal. |
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Charles Was a member of the Forty Fort Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 8595, and he was employed at the post home.
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United States Marine Corps Corporal Specialist 5th Class Charles Oliver Rundle passed away on August 23rd 1950 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. He is buried at the Memorial Shrine Cemetery in Carverton, PA.
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