Charlie B. Rattler
Biography: Charlie B. Rattler was born on November 28, 1919, in Louisiana. He was the son of Miles L. Rattler and Clara Mitchell. His draft card, dated July 1, 1941, shows him working as a truck driver for the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) at Camp 1802 in Azle, Texas. His home is listed as Jefferson, TX.
Service Time: Charlie entered the Army on April 23, 1942. At some point, he was assigned to the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion and subsequently, to the Third Platoon of Company C. At that time, the 614th was stationed at Camp Hood, Texas, where they trained in all aspects of tank destroyer unit skills. They went to the Louisiana Maneuvers and then returned to Camp Hood where they continued to act as school troops for the OCS classes.
Finally, in August of 1944, they moved to Camp Shanks, New Jersey, where they prepared for overseas shipment. The unit shipped out from the New York port on August 27, 1944, and arrived in England on September 7th. A month later, on October 8th, they landed at the Utah beachhead and were initially deployed to Metz, France, later supporting operations against the Siegfried Line in November and December.
On December 7th, the 614th was attached to the 103rd Infantry Division, a pairing that would last until the end of the war. At 0430 on January 25, 1945, the 3rd Platoon of Company C was stationed in Schillersdorf, Germany, in support of the 411th Infantry Regiment (103rd ID). Suddenly about 450 German SS troops attacked. It was later discovered that the German soldiers had been given schnapps and ether to get them into a state of mind to advance down the main road leading into the town. All the TD soldiers succeeded in getting out with the exception of Lt. George Mitchell and 11 enlisted men, who were captured and held by the Germans until the end of the war in Europe. Charlie was one of the enlisted men. He was a POW (Prisoner of War) at Stalag 13C, Hammelburg Om Main, Bavaria. All the men were liberated and returned to the Army.
Charlie was entitled to the American Defense Service, WWII Victory, Prisoner of War and the EAME (with credit for the campaigns of Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe) medals. He was also entitled to wear the Distinguished Unit Citation Ribbon which was awarded to 3rd Platoon, Company C, for their actions at Climbach, France, on December 14, 1944. He was discharged from the Army on November 10, 1945.
We have very little information on Charlie’s life after he left the military. His death certificate shows he was a disabled-retired porter. It also indicates he was married. We are unable to confirm either of these items at this time. He passed away on June 6, 1967, in Texarkana, TX. Charlie was buried in the Paradise Cemetery, Hosston, Louisiana. Thank you to Find a Grave contributor Marlo Will for use of the grave marker photo.