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Personal info

Full name
BASS, Charles W
Date of birth
12 September 1918
Age
26
Place of birth
Sevier County, Tennessee
Hometown
Watertown, Wilson County, Tennessee

Military service

Service number
34497306
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
C Company,
1st Battalion,
333rd Infantry Regiment,
84th Infantry Division
Awards
Bronze Star

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
9 May 1945
Place of death
In the vicinity of Wahrenberg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
William E. Bass (father)
Nannie G. (Grissom) Bass (mother)
Raymond D. Bass (brother)
Mary J. Bass (sister)
Bonnie L. Bass (sister)
Thomas W. Bass (brother)
Ina W. Bass (sister)
Betty J. Bass (sister)

More information

Pfc Charles W. Bass worked in a textile factory before he enlisted at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia on 1 December 1942.

Pfc Bass crossed the Elbe River in a canoe in disobedience with the orders of his commanding officer, 1st Lt Charles B. Renner. Upon the return trip he was joined by a Russian soldier who was under the influence of liquor. The Russian stood up in the canoe which caused it to capsize throwing both men into the water. The Russian started swimming and was picked up down stream on the American side and returned to the other bank. Pfc Bass clung to the boat for several minutes, then the boat and man disappeared from sight. A thorough search of the area was made by members of his organization, but his body could not be located.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930/1940 Census / Family Trees, IDPF

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Kelly Harris / Becky Taylor