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History of Charleston High School, Charleston, and Coles County
One of Coles County's Fallen
Home at Last
By: Gunner Barr
Harold Poulter in the U.S Army
At 2.00 pm on June 4th, 2024, the remains of Harold Poulter will be buried with full military rites at the Janesville Cemetery, located along the Coles-Cumberland County line.
Private Poulter was killed in action by small arms fire on February 8th, 1945, near Biesdorf, Germany. Poulter was serving with Company G, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. Private Poulter had joined the U.S Army from Cincinnati, Ohio on June 6, 1942.
Harold Poulter’s parents were Artie and Bessie Millage Poulter, and he was a brother to Harely, Mary Jane, Jean, Helen, Louise, and Jay.
Private Poulter’s remains were found in 1951 and were buried as unknown in the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunisa. As well, he was listed on the Walls of the Missing at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. In September of 2022 the remains were exhumed and sent to the Defense POW/MIA Agency (DPAA) laboratory for identification. On January 17th, 2024, Private Poulter’s remains were accounted for.
On the behalf of CHS Press we remember Private Harold Poulter’s sacrifice for our country and welcome him home.
A Sailor home at last
The story of Charles Darling Brown of Arcola, Ill
Charles Brown in the U.S Navy
Charles Brown was born on May 4th, 1919, in Arcola, Ill, on their family farm. He was the son of Allison and Lillie Wellbaum Brown. Charles had nine sisters (Allie, Celta, Freda, Gladys, Ruby, Ada, Lois, Juanita, Sylvia) and three brothers Leland, Fredrick, and Harry. Charles was the youngest son and the second youngest overall.
Charles received an eighth-grade education at a rural school called Columbia located 1.25 miles west of the Brown farm across the county line in Coles County.
At the age of 19 Charles decided to join the Navy. In December 1937 he went to the Navy recruitment station at the Mattoon Post Office to start his application process. He came back on January 10th, 1938, for his physical accompanied by his father who signed a form stating that he would not request the discharge of his son while in the Navy. On May 13th, 1938, Charles reported to Navy Recruiting Station St. Louis. His enlistment papers describe him as having light brown hair and blue eyes, a height of 5 feet and 7 inches and a weight of 125 pounds. Also, there right with him at St. Louis was his brother Harry who was enlisting in the Navy to keep an eye on him on the request of their father.
On May 1938, Charles and Harry reported for boot camp at San Deigo. After completion the brothers reported aboard the USS West Virgina on August 28th.
Charles worked his way through the seaman ranks and on August 16th, 1940, he was promoted to Electrician’s Mate Third Class and was now a Petty Officer.
On December 7th, 1941, Petty Officer Brown was onboard the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked. It is not known how he died but it’s believed he was below decks. His brother Harry was wounded but survived the attack.
On March 6th the Journal Gazette wrote “Arcola sailor again listed as dead”
“Charles D. Brown of Arcola, a 22-year-old sailor who was first reported missing following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has been officially given up as dead, according to word received from the Navy Department by his parents, Mr., and Mrs. Al Brown of this city. Just eight days after the Pearl Habor attack Mr. and Mrs. Brown were notified that their son was killed. Three days later they were notified he was listed as a survivor but missing. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had no word since the ‘missing’ report until this week.”
Charles Brown’s remains were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific as unknown for his remains were not identifiable.
In 2017 Brown’s remains were exhumed by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). On March 22nd, 2021, Charles remains were identified.
On April 20th, 2024, Charles Browns remains were buried in Arcola Township Cemetery with full military honors and a Navy escort with Flagman’s Mission being there to put flags along the funeral route. Illinois state senator Chapin Rose (CHS Class of 1992) was in attendance.
The funeral service had a Navy escort of considerable size, with Navy sailors being pallbearers, conducting the 21-gun salute and Taps. The funeral cab had the U.S Navy emblem in it. Unfortunately, none of Charles’ siblings are still alive and neither are his parents. But thankfully Charles has nieces and nephews who were able to make it to the service.
This was a very well-done ceremony to commemorate and remember Petty Officer Charles Brown’s life and sacrifice for our country. May we never forget.
Honoring Coles County's Fallen:
Everett Lauher Clinard, Jr.
Everett Lauher Clinard, Jr. Class of the 1938 yearbook picture courtesy of CHS yearbook
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High Alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is on the south side of the main office. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are 21 names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
Everett Lauher Clinard, Jr. was the son of Everett Clinard Sr and Gretchen Hall Clinard and brother to Theodore, Charles, Donald, William. Clinard, Jr. graduated with the Charleston High School Class of 1938.
In the Class of 1938 yearbook, he was described as “A very nice person as everyone agrees.”
While at Charleston High he played the cornet in the school’s band and was a member of the school’s senior class play “The Eyes of Tlaloc” play about a lost Aztec treasure. Where Clinard played a Native American.
In 1942 Lieutenant Clinard was assigned as a navigator to the 323rd bomb squadron, 91st Heavy Bomb Group. Arriving at Bassingbourn England on 11th of October 1942. Clinard was a part of the crew of “Panhandle Dogie” a B-17F also known as the Flying fortress. On November 8th, 1942, Clinard and the crew of Panhandle Dogie flew a mission to Abbeville, France. During this mission Lt. Clinard was wounded, being immediately hospitalized when the crew returned to base. The plane was so heavily damaged that it was salvaged for parts. Lt Clinard would be transferred to the crew of Pennsylvania Polka another B-17F in the 323rd.
On December 7th, 1942, Lt. Clinard was awarded the Purple Heart for the November 8th mission.
On the 27th of January 1943 Lt. Clinard shot down a plane on a mission to Wilhelmshaven Germany. It is unknown what crew he was with.
On February 4th Lt. Clinard would fly as the navigator for Pennsylvania Polka. Their mission would be to bomb the marshalling yards in Hamm Germany along with four other planes. But due to weather over the target, they had to change their mission to an alternative target of the German port of Emden.
Here is what 91st Bomb Group had to say about the experience of the mission:
“Results of bombing considered good. Heavy enemy flak encountered. Numerous enemy fighters engaged us.”
On this mission two planes were lost, one of them being unfortunately Pennsylvania Polka.
The plane was shot down by enemy fighters and crashed into the North Sea, 12 miles off the coast of Holland. Clinard and the other nine crewmen were killed.
His remains have never been found; he is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery and memorial in Margraten, Netherlands.
Lt. Clinard’s family were presented the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and a second Purple Heart at Chanute Field in Rantoul, IL.
We salute the sacrifice of all Charleston alumnus, Lt Clinard, as well as the other alumni whose names ae listed on the memorial plaque. May we never forget.
Research found at:
Charleston Public Library at the genealogy and local history room
41-24544 | American Air Museum
41-24570 | American Air Museum
323rd Dailies from 1942 - 91st Bomb Group (H)
323rd Dailies from 1943 - 91st Bomb Group (H)
LT Everett Lauher Clinard Jr. (1920-1943) - Find a Grave Memorial
Lieut Everett Lauher Clinard Jr. (1920-1943) - Find a Grave Memorial
Honoring Coles County's Fallen:
Cecil Emerson Toler
By Gunner Barr
Cecil Toler Class of 1941 yearbook picture Courtesy of CHS yearbooks
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is on the south side of the main office. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are 21 names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
Cecil Emerson Toler graduated with the Charleston High School Class of 1941, Cecil was the son of Charles and Mary Montz Toler, and was a brother to Leo and Clarence Toler.
Cecil enlisted in the U.S Army in 1943 and was a private in F Company 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On June 1st, 1944, Toler and the men of the 16th moved from their camps located in southwestern England and boarded amphibious assault ships at the port of Weymouth. On the late afternoon of June 5th, they left Weymouth and headed for the beaches of Normandy.
On the early morning hours of D-Day June 6th, 1944, Pvt. Toler was a part of the lead element of the 16th Infantry Regiment, landing on Omaha beach.
Here is what the 16th Infantry Association says about what Toler would have experienced:
“As landing craft dropped their ramps, men were killed and wounded as they attempted to get out of their boats. Others were hit as they struggled through the surf or ran across the sand weighed down with water-logged equipment. As more units arrived, they found the now disorganized lead troops pinned down and congested.’’
Eventually the men of the 16th started to move off the beach and make their ways into the bluffs. At some point in the fighting Private Toler was killed, but his sacrifice and the sacrifice of around 200 other men of the 16th was not in vain.
“By noon of that bloody day, the 16th Infantry had broken through and had established a foothold that allowed follow-on unites to move through,” says the 16th Infantry Association.
Toler’s parents would receive a letter from the War Department informing them of their son’s loss on August 30th,1944.
Private Toler is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-Sur- Mur, France.
We salute the sacrifice of all Charleston alumni, Pvt. Cecil Emerson Toler, as well as the others whose names are listed on the memorial plaque. May we never forget.
Research found at:
Charleston Public Library at the genealogy and local history room
England and Normandy - 16th Infantry Regiment Association (16thinfassn.org)
PVT Cecil Emmerson Toler (1923-1944) - Find a Grave Memorial
Roll of Honor (16thinfassn.org)
Cecil Emmerson Toler : Private from Illinois, World War II Casualty (honorstates.org)
Honoring Coles County's Fallen:
Donald Eugene Swinford
By: Gunner Barr
Donald Eugene Swinford Class of 1935 yearbook picture Courtesy of Charleston High School yearbook
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High Alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is on the south side of the main office. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are 21 names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
Donald Eugene Swinford graduated with the Charleston High School Class of 1935, Donald was the president of the Agriculture Club and was the advertising manager for “The Recorder” the school’s yearbook. He was the son of George and Bessie Swinford, and was a brother to Kathelyn, June, Reece, Mary and Morris.
In the 1940 census Swinford’s occupation was listed as a milk tester, and he was married to Kathryn Mae, he was living in Frankfort, Will County, Illinois, and registered for the draft on 16th October 1940.
Donald entered the U.S Army in March of 1944 and was sent overseas in July 1944 serving with the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division. Until Private Swinford was killed in action on October 2nd, 1944, while fighting in the Foret de Parroy in Northern France.
On November 2nd “The Tuscola Review” wrote the headline “Donald E Swinford Missing in Action”. The article continued “Mrs. Eva Swinford, Oakland has received word that he son Donald Eugene Swinford, has been missing in action since October 2.”
Private Swinford now lies in rest in Epinal American Cemetery in Dinoze, France.
We salute the sacrifice of all Charleston alumnus, Pvt Donald Eugene Swinford, as well as the other alumni whose names are listed on the memorial plaque. May we never forget.
Research found at:
Charleston Public Library at the genealogy and local history room
Epinal American Cemetery | American Battle Monuments Commission (abmc.gov)
Foret de Parroy: Offensive Deliberate Attack, 25 September-24 October 1944 (dtic.mil)
World War II Divisional Combat Chronicles (army.mil)
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/5252027925:50038
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/143266794:2442
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/83500986:6224
Remembering Coles County’s Fallen: Warren Dale Stitt
By: Gunner Barr
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High Alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is located on the south side of the Main Office of the high school. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are 21 names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
Warren D. Stitt, Senior year at CHS, 1943 Photo courtesy of the Charleston High School Yearbook
Warren Dale Stitt graduated with the Charleston High School Class of 1943. He entered the U.S Army shortly after graduation, serving with Company D, 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. T.H Stitt and had two other brothers who also served in World War II.
During Warren Stitt’s time in the war, he participated in two invasions in the Pacific Theater. He fought at Leyte in the Philippines and Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. First seeing combat on October 20th, 1944, when he landed on Leyte.
While fighting on Leyte, Stitt was wounded. A local war time newspaper article noted, “Mr. and Mrs. T.H Stitt, Charleston have been notified that their son, private first class (Pfc.) Warren Dale Stitt, was wounded on action on Leyte. Private Stitt received a shrapnel wound on his foot and has been removed to a rehabilitation center in that vicinity for treatment.” After recovering from his wounds in an Army hospital, Stitt rejoined his unit in February 1945.
On April 1st, 1945, Stitt landed on Okinawa and fought there for almost three months. While on Okinawa, Pfc. Stitt was involved in heavy fighting against the Japanese and capturing things of strategic importance to the Japanese.
While the campaign was coming to close and the last of Japanese defenders were flushed out from their caves and fortifications, Stitt was killed in action on June 21st, 1945. This was the last day of the Battle of Okinawa.
Stitt’s remains returned to Charleston in 1949. The Herald and Review newspaper of Decatur wrote on March 29th, 1949, “The body of Pfc. Warren Dale Stitt, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.H Stitt, Charleston will arrive in Charleston at 1:15 a.m. Thursday and will be taken to the home of his parents… Burial will be in Mound cemetery near Charleston, with full military rites conducted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.”
We salute the service and sacrifice of Charleston High School alumni, Pfc. Warren Dale Stitt, as well as the other heroes whose names are listed on the memorial plaque. May we never forget, and ever honor them.
Warren D. Stitt’s final resting place at Mound Cemetery, Charleston, IL Photo courtesy of Gunner Barr
Honoring Coles County's Fallen: Lowell Eugene Hunter
By: Gunner Barr
Lowell Eugene Hunter (anticipated graduation with the Class of 1945) courtesy of the CHS Class of 1942 yearbook
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High school alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is located on the south side of the Main Office of the high school. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are 21 names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
Lowell Eugene Hunter was the son of James and Ann (Hudson) Hunter. Lowell had three siblings: Lela, Joanna and Thomas. Hunter joined the Navy Reserve in his junior year at Charleston High School on September 19, 1943, at 17 years old. After enlisting, Hunter was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Station for basic training. Where he contracted pneumonia while training. It was ultimately fatal, causing his death on November 19, 1943, while he was being treated at the hospital at Great Lakes.
The Charleston Daily Courier wrote on November 20, 1943, “Pneumonia Fatal to Lowell Hunter”. It noted, “Lowell Hunter, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Hunter of 18 West Madison Street died Friday evening in a hospital at the Great Lakes Naval Training Sation, following an illness of two weeks from pneumonia. Lowell Hunter was born in Charleston on November 28th and would have been 18 this month. He attended Charleston public schools and was in his junior year at Charleston High school when he enlisted in the Navy on September 19th. The body will arrive in Charleston either this (Saturday) evening or early Sunday morning, accompanied by a naval escort. The funeral arrangements have not been made.”
Lowell Hunter was interred at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston.
Lowell Hunter’s headstone at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston, IL Photo courtesy of Gunner Barr
We salute the service and sacrifice of Lowell Eugene Hunter and other Charleston High school alumni whose names are listed on the plaque.
Research was found at the Charleston Public Library’s Local History and Genealogy Room.
Remembering Coles County's Fallen:
William Henry Drake
William Henry Drake, Class of 1942 Courtesy of Charleston High School Yearbook
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High Alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is located on the south side of the main office. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are 21 names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
William Henry Drake graduated with the Charleston High School Class of 1942. He was the son of John and Mamie McGahan Drake. William had three sisters (Edna, Mary and Martha) and three brothers (Gerald, Roy and Dale). William enlisted in the U.S Army on April 1st, 1943, and became a glider infantryman in Company B 193rd Glider infantry regiment of the 17th Airborne Division.
After much training, Drake and his comrades left Boston for England on August 20th, 1944. They arrived in England on August 28, 1944. Upon their arrival, they continued training and were held in strategic reserve until the Germans launched the Ardennes offensive (also known as the Battle of the Bulge) on December 16th, 1944.
Drake and the men of the 193rd were flown to France on December 23-25th and then were taken hastily by truck to Belgium. In January 1945, Drake saw combat for the first time around the Belgian town of Flamierge.
He was killed in action on January 8, 1945, On January 31, 1945, the Journal Gazette from Matton wrote an article with the headline “Pvt. William H. Drake of Charleston killed”
On February 1, 1945, The Decatur Daily Review wrote, “Mr. and Mrs. John Drake, Charleston, received a message from the War department Tuesday informing them that their son, Pvt. William H. Drake, 20, was killed in action in Belgium and that a letter with details would follow. Private Drake was born in Charleston July 7, 1924, and attended Charleston schools.”
William Drake’s remains were returned at Mound Cemetery in Charleston in 1949. His father, John Drake, purchased William’s headstone.
We salute the sacrifice of all Charleston High school alumni, Pvt. William Henry Drake, as well as the other heroes whose names are listed on the memorial plaque. May we never forget.
William Henry Drake’s headstone at Mound Cemetery in Charleston Ill Photo courtesy of Gunner Barr
Research found here:
Charleston Public Library at the genealogy and local history room
The 193rd Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) - Unit History (ww2-airborne.us)
Honoring Coles County's Fallen: Buford Mannin
By: Gunner Barr
Buford Mannin Class of 1940 photo courtesy of CHS yearbook
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High school alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is located on the south side of the Main Office of the high school. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are 21 names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
Buford Mannin graduated with the Charleston High School Class of 1940. He was the son of Daniel Boone and Ann Pieratt Mannin and had a sister Madeleine. Buford enlisted in the Marine Corps on October 9, 1942, and became an artillery man serving with the 10th Marine Artillery Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Mannin was killed in action on June 15, 1944, while landing on the Japanese held island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands.
Mannin’s remains were returned to his family in 1949. Mattoon’s “Journal Gazette” on February 1 wrote “Charleston. Ill.- Funeral will be held at the Charleston Methodist Church at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon for marine Pfc (Private first class) Buford Mannin… Young Mannin was killed June 15,1944, on Saipan at the age of 22. The body was returned home today to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Boone Mannin, four miles south of Charleston.”
Buford also had an article written about him by “The Decatur Hearld” on February 1, 1949. “Pfc (Private first class) Mannin, a member of the 10th marines 2nd division was killed on Saipan on June 15, 1944, and was interned in a military cemetery there, He was born near Hindsboro, July 20, 1922. He attended Villa Grove high school and Charleston high school before entering the service October 9,1942… Burial will be in Roselawn cemetery with military rites in charge of the V.F.W and American legion.”
Buford Mannin's headstone in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston Il Photo courtesy of Gunner Barr
We salute the service and sacrifice of PFC Buford Mannin as well as the other Charleston High School alumni whose names are listed on the memorial plaque. May we never forget and always honor them.
Research was found at the Charleston Public Library Local History and Genealogy Room.
Honoring Coles County's fallen:
John Kenneth Bisson
By: Gunner Barr
Throughout the hallways of Charleston High School, various trophies and plaques are on display. One plaque that we pass by on a regular basis, but may not realize the significance of, is the memorial plaque to Charleston High Alumni who died during World War II. This plaque is located on the south side of the Main Office of the high school. It was given to the Class of 1945 and dedicated by the Class of 1946. There are twenty-one names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.
One of the names listed is in honor of John Kenneth Bisson. John Bisson was the son of Mr. Walter and Mollie Oliver Bisson. He had two brothers, Maurice and Jackson, as well as a sister, Jane.
John Bisson graduated with the Charleston High School Class of 1925 and was also the captain of the track team that same year.
John Bisson, Charleston High School track team captain photo courtesy of Charleston High School yearbook 1925
In 1926, Bisson was appointed to the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1930. While at the academy, he was on the varsity track team. The Naval Academy yearbook noted that Bisson, “Would rather run than eat.” The yearbook spoke highly of his character, describing, “You will find him plugging away at something all year around, and no matter what he does you can be sure it is being done in a thorough manner.”
John Bisson, United States Naval Academy, Class of 1930 Photo courtesy of the United States Naval Academy Yearbook
After being commissioned into the Navy, Bisson would spend most of his pre-war career serving in the fleet. The exception to this was being stationed at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. Bisson also returned to the Naval Academy for instruction at the post-graduate school.
Afterwards, he went to the Naval Boiler Laboratory School in Philadelphia. Then, he served as executive officer on U.S.S Gridley when the U.S entered the Second World War. In April 1942, Bisson reported for duty as an engineer officer onboard the U.S.S Vincennes.
Bisson participated in the Battle of Midway supporting the vitally important aircraft carrier U.S.S Yorktown while onboard the Vincennes. After the battle, the Vincennes returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Bisson was then promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
After repairs of the U.S.S. Vincennes, Bisson participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign. He was involved in a shore bombardment on August 7th of Japanese positions on the Island of Guadalcanal.
On the nights of August 8th and 9th Bisson was involved in the Battle of Savo Island (In support of the Guadalcanal Campaign), at Around 1:55 A.M Japanese searchlight beams spotted the Vincennes and in return opened fire with her main guns. After opening fire, the ship was fired upon by the enemy and sustained much damage. Around 2:00 a.m. Torpedoes hit the ship and shortly after that lost all steering control. During this engagement she was hit at least fifty-seven times by 8- and 5-inch shells. At 2:30 a.m. the captain of the Vincennes ordered the rest of the crew to abandon ship. She (Vincennes) would roll over and would sink at about 2:50 a.m.
Now what happen to Bisson during the battle is not sure, he was at first listed as missing but then on August 10th, 1943, was declared dead. He is listed in the Halls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery. John’s remains have never been found and identified.
We are forever grateful for the service and sacrifice John Kenneth Bisson and all other Charleston alumni who died protecting our nation.
You may be gone, but you are not forgotten.
Research found here:
U.S. Naval Academy Virtual Memorial Hall
Naval History and Heritage Command
Charleston Public library at the Genealogy and local History room