d.2/21/44, Noble Ave. USMCR d.2/21/44 Charles Voelker graduated from Crafton High School with the class of 1941. A born comic, Charlie was the class clown. He enlisted in the Marines in July of 1942 and took his boot camp training at Camp LeJeune, N.C. Always looking for the toughest duty, he put in for jump school and became a paratrooper. He became fully qualified, but had a serious accident before he could ship out. He was badly injured in a fall from a truck while on field maneuvers and had to leave the paratrooper ranks. Back in the Marine infantry, his first taste of combat came on Iwo Jima, February 19, 1945. To this day, Iwo Jima remains the bloodiest battle the Marines have ever fought, and on February 21st, Corporal Charles Voelker was killed in action. As platoon leader, he fired on a Japanese machine gun nest until he ran out of ammunition. He was awarded a Purple Heart posthumously, and for his bravery under fire, the Silver Star.