Charles Edfward Charlie C.E. Rankin

My dad died at the Muskogee Veteran's Hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He had gone through surgery for a brain tumor six months before he passed away. He also had emphysema, which also contributed to his death.

The following is from an article that was written in a Hot Springs, Arkansas newspaper on August 29, 1945, that was obtained by my mother, Maxine Edith Lafferty-Rankin.

"Charlie is a returnee at the Army Distribution Center Station in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and served overseas with the Third Division in the Third Squad, Third Platoon of the Third Battalion.

After three months on the western front, he spent three months and three days as a prisoner of war of the Germans. Charlie said he had three narrow escapes while in Europe."

If you will notice, the article was written because of all the Number 3's associated with my Dad. His birthday happened to be the third day of the third month, also.

The following article is one that was printed in a Tulsa, Oklahoma newspaper about my Dad and my Uncle T.J. Rankin.

"TWO TULSANS ARE MISSING

Brother of City Woman Is Wounded; Missing Boy Reported Safe

Pfc. T.J. Rankin--wounded

Pfc. Don L. Coulson--missing

S/1c Edward Staton--missing

Pvt. Leo E. O'Brien--liberated

The brother of a Tulsan has been wounded in the South Pacific, two sons of Tulsans have been reported missing and a third has been liberated, the war department has notified next of kin.

Pfc. T.J. Rankin, Jr., brother of Mrs. Bertha Fryar, 1646 North Wheeling, and husband of Mrs. Mozelle Rankin of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has been wounded in the South Pacific and is now hospitalized in California, his wife has just been notified.

Private Rankin attended Broken Arrow High School prior to his enlistment two and one-half years ago. His brother, Pfc. Charlie Rankin, is a prisoner of war in Germany."