Charles Ives military medals, badges, and insignia

January 2019
Most recent update: 22 February 2019

Charles Ives (1923-1997) enlisted in the US Army in 1942, received a commission in 1943 from Officer Candidate School, served in the 289th Infantry Regiment of the 75th Infantry Division as a platoon leader in the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes-Alsace campaign) as well as in two other European campaigns (Rheinland and Central Europe) and later in the Korean War, and also in numerous peacetime assignments in the USA, West Germany (where, for example, he was Provost Marshall of occupied Stuttgart in 1946), and Korea. He retired as a Colonel after 30 years of active service in 1972. For heroism at the Battle of the Bulge in February 1945 he received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. The V device on the Bronze Star means "for Valor in combat". The 75th was composed of about 14,000 men, of whom about 4000 were killed or wounded in battle.

Bronze Star Citation 1945

[ See original ]

Headquarters, 75th Infantry Division, Office of the Commanding General, CITATION, General Order Number 150, 25 May 1945:

Under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, the Bronze Star Medal is awared to the following: First Lieutenant (then Second Lieutenant) CHARLES G. IVES, 0 xxx xxx, Company G, 289th Infantry, for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on 6 February 1945, in France. Company G mounted tanks and started the attack on Hettenschlag across open fields and through woods. As the tanks left the edge of the woods, heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire caused casualties and the men became excited and disorganized. Lieutenant IVES' tank was disabled by a near miss and stopped 500 yards short of the objective. Noting the tanks were not closing in on the town as planned, this officer jumped off the tank and moved to the control under heavy shell and machine gun fire. He directed the tank commander to move the force into town immediately. Lieutenant IVES' cool courage and level-headed thinking resulted in the successful completion of the mission with minimum casualties. Entered military service from Iowa City, Iowa.

Meritorious Service Medal 1969

The Commanding General First United States Army awards the Meritorious Service Medal to Colonel Charles G. Ives xxx-xx-xxxx, Infantry, United States Army.

    While serving consecutively as Assistant Professor of Military Science and Professor of Military Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, from September 1966 to July 1969, Colonel Ives distinguished himself by rendering outstandingly meritorious service. Through his personality and hard work, he furthered both the goals of West Virginia University and the United States Army. His leadership, insight and guidance were especially valuable when the Reserve Officers' Training Corps curriculum underwent the change from a mandatory to a voluntary program. In spite of the change, the institution has the fourth largest Reserve Officers' Training Corps in the United States. His innovations upon the program and keen interest and professionalism have been instrumental in increasing the stature of the Army at West Virginia University. Colonel Ives' outstanding achievements and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Legion of Merit 1972

[ See original ]

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY ACT OF CONGRESS JULY 20, 1942
HAS AWARDED
THE LEGION OF MERIT
TO
COLONEL CHARLES G. IVES, INFANTRY, UNITED STATES ARMY
FOR
EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS CONDUCT
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OUTSTANDING SERVICES

FROM JUNE 1962 TO MARCH 1972
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
THIS 11TH DAY OF APRIL 1972

Verne L. Bowers     VERNE L. BOWERS Major General, USA The Adjudant General

(War Office Seal)

Robert F. Froehlke     SECRETARY OF THE ARMY

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service:

    Colonel Charles G. Ives, Infantry, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from June 1962 to March 1972. During this period Colonel Ives served consecutively as Instructor, Corps and Army Section, Department of Larger Unit Operations, United States Army Command and General Staff College, and then as Secretary of the General Staff, United States Army Garrison, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry, 7th Division, United States Army Pacific, Korea; as Assistant Professor of Military Science, and then as Professor of Military Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia; as Chief; Military Personnel Plans and Operations Division, as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, and then as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters, Fifth United States Army, Fort Sheridan, Illinois; and as Commanding Officer, United States Army Support Detachment, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. In each of these responsible positions Colonel Ives demonstrated decisive leadership, professional competence, and sound judgment. His extensive military experience and unique ability to plan, direct, and resolve complex problems resulted in the smooth and orderly administration of all activities within his areas of responsibility and contributed in great measure to the successful accomplishment of significant military objectives. By his diligence and professional skill he achieved exceptional success as author-instructor; improved combat readiness of units under his command; and developed unique and advanced methods for efficiently handling complex and sensitive personnel problems. His personal example, professional acumen, and devotion to duty were constantly directed in the best interests of the military service, and earned the high regard of all associated with him. Colonel Ives' distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit on him and the military service.

Recognition upon his death

The United States of America honors the memory Charles G. Ives

This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the serivce of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.

(signed) William J. Clinton
President of the United States

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Service summary (as of 1948): Pvt. Inf. E.R.C. 18 July 42, A.D. Pvt. and Cpl. 6 May 43 to 6 Dec. 43, 2 Lt. Inf-Res. 7 Dec 43; accepted 7 Dec. 43; A.D. 6 Dec. 43; 1 Lt. A.U.S. 18 Feb. 45; Capt. A.U.S. 10 Apr 47. — 2 Lt. of Inf. 24 Aug. 46 with rank from 16 Jan. 44; accepted 4 Oct. 46; 1 Lt. 16 Jan. 47.[8]

Service summary (as of 1965): A-Ill BSM(OLC) CM(OLC) PH Grad ACGSC 61 Inf Sch O Adv Crse 53 AB Univ of Iowa 43 BGE State Univ of Iowa 62 Enl 18 July 42 to 6 Dec 43 2lt Inf Res 7 Dec 43 to Lt Col AUS 21 Apr 61 2lt Inf 4 Oct 46 D/R 16 Jan 44 to Lt Col 21 June 65 PL 5803