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Capt Charles F. Monson graduated from Kane High School in 1934. He worked with his father in the painting and decorating trade.

He joined th National Guard in February 1941.

Capt Monson was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge. While being transported by the Germans, the POW column was strafed by American fighters wounding and killing many prisoners, including Monson.

A message from the International Red Cross received through the War Department reported he was killed on December 23 as a German prisoner of war. It stated that Captain Monson had been previously listed as missing in action but the family had not received such a notice.

Captain Monson and his brother, Chief Warrant Offcer John Monson, had been together in action and had written of their meetings up to mid-December, 1944. In a letter from CWO John Monson he stated that he had been unable to find his brother. It was not immediately known if his wife, Virginia had received word. The couple had two children Bobby, aged six and Joy, aged five.

For gallantry in action against the enemy in Belgium on 16 December 1944 Capt Monson received a Silver Star. He was serving in the capacity of Company Commander and Security Commander when the enemy launched the Ardennes offensive. Shortly after Captain Monson displaced his men to cover all possible enemy approaches, a strong German patrol was reported in the vicinity. By holding, and then ordering fire when a sure target presented itself, five members of the enemy patrol were killed and six wounded. The accurate and fearless manner in which Captain Monson pointed out targets to his men, caused the surrender of the remaining twenty members of the patrol. Through his outstanding courage and devotion to duty, effective cannon fire was brought to bear on the numerically superior enemy forces, immobilizing four German tanks.