PFC Charles M. Darms served with Charlie Company, 4th Engineer Battalion (Fourth Marine Division). He was killed in action at Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve Service Number 439572
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by DPAA
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 21, 1925 in New York, NY
Parents
John Martin Darms, Jr. Frances (Eisemann) Darms
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
August 11, 1942 at New York, NY
Home Of Record
881 Woodward Avenue Brooklyn, NY
Next Of Kin
Parents, John & Frances Darms
Military Specialty
Demolitions (MOS 533)
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart (Iwo Jima)
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 19 February 1945, two battalions of the 23rd Marines made assault landings against Iwo Jima’s Beaches Yellow 1 and Yellow 2. In support of the infantry were other branches attached from the Fourth Marine Division’s special troops, including Charlie Compay, 4th Engineer Battalion.
PFC Charles M. Darms was one of the engineers killed on the Yellow Beaches. Darms, a veteran demolitions man from Brooklyn, NY, was hit directly by a high explosive shell. Two comrades (GySgt. Alfred B. Sherman and Cpl. Russell Homiak) witnessed his death but could provide no information about any remains.