Charles Leo Cockrell
Sergeant Charles L. “Dee” Cockrell served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 25th Marines.
He was killed in action at Iwo Jima on 20 February 1945.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 437559
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by DPAA
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 6, 1924
in Alexandria, VA
Parents
Thomas John Cockrell
Gladys Veronica (Ewald) Cockrell
Education
George Washington High School
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
August 3, 1942
at Washington, DC
Home Of Record
3 West Oak Street
Alexandria, VA
Next Of Kin
Parents, Thomas & Gladys Cockrell
Military Specialty
Rifle NCO
(MOS 737)
Individual Decorations
Bronze Star (Saipan)
Purple Heart (Tinian)
– with Gold Star (Iwo Jima)
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
The Second Battalion, 25th Marines spent their first night on Iwo Jima holding a line of hard-won positions, alternately fighting off infiltrators and ducking heavy barrages of mortar and artillery fire. At 0530 on D+1, they received anticipated but unwelcome orders: prepare for a frontal attack against the rough terrain north of the Quarry. They would jump off at 0830.
Sergeant Charles Leo Cockrell, a combat veteran decorated with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for service in the Mariana Islands, got up to get his bearings. “I saw Sgt. Cockrell standing on some high ground about 50 yards to my right,” recalled Corporal Charles F. Reed of Fox Company. “A shell exploded in his position and seemed to me to be a direct hit. He was killed instantly.” First Lieutenant Richard L. Cromartie, Jr., also saw Cockrell killed and was able to identify his body at the time. The attack kicked off about thirty minutes later, and the sergeant’s remains were left behind.
Burial Information or Disposition
Although Cockrell’s death was confirmed by Reed and Cromartie – Fox Company veterans who served with Cockrell since 1943 – no burial information was recorded. He was declared permanently non-recoverable in 1949.
On 2 March 1945, an unidentified individual was buried in the Fourth Marine Division Cemetery as “X-118.” Most of the bones were smashed or missing, but anthropologists were able to estimate the height at 70 inches and found traces of black hair. Cockrell stood 71 inches tall and had dark brown hair. This alone is not enough to prove identity, but the dental charts of the two cases show some strong similarities.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Thomas & Gladys Cockrell
Location Of Loss
Cockrell’s battalion was operating in the Blue Beach area of Iwo Jima.
