Memorial

More information

Pfc Charles F. Goldstone attended high school for three years and was a kitchen worker.

He enlisted in Peoria, Illinois on 9 April 1943.

On 27 August 1944, the city of Coulommiers was full of cheering civilians, celebrating their liberators, when the Germans attempted a counter-attack. For a quarter of an hour, the city was the object of a powerful artillery bombardement.

At the corner of the rue Bertrand Flornoy and the rue du Général Leclerc, Capt Benz was directing tanks into position to battle a German tank or anti-tank gun when he was hit by enemy machinegun fire from the Panzer, cutting off his two legs above the ankles.

Pfc Charles F. Goldstone, a medic attached to the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, rushed towards him but was fatally shot in his turn. The two men were rushed to the local hospital but no help could rescue them.

They were both initially buried at the community cemetery of Coulommiers the next day.

Later they were reburied at the Temporary American Military Cemetery Solers, France, before they were given their final resting place at Epinal Cemetery.

They are both remembered on a plaque on the wall of a house at 44, rue Bertrand Flornoy.