A portrait of Sgt. Charles E. Zeigler which appeared in a local newspaper at the time he was reported missing. An article with the photograph told the following:
Sgt. Charles E. Ziegler, who was reported missing in action on 25th December [1944].
The following letter was received by his parents this week and was written on 21 December.
21 December 1944
Dear Mother and Dad:
Received your letter of the 29th yesterday, and your Christmas Card, plus another stack of mail. It was the most I had yet, however I am still looking for something to eat. When you mentioned about the squirrel boiling I could almost smell it.
If you look at the envelope you will notice that my my A.P.O. has changed back to 454 again. I don’t know why but it’s only about the fourth time its changed so may be it will be the last. I certainly hope so because the mail is mixed up enough as it is.
We were in the field two days this week and had a hike of sixteen miles and now my feet are full of blisters, so I am taking it easy.
If everything goes all right I am going on pass to London tomorrow. Have already paid for the ticket. I don’t know where Clarence was stationed over here that he couldn’t spend any money, as I can spend just as much as back in the States.
Well must write to Clarence today so I will close for now.
Charles
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HERNDON SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED
The War Department has advised Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Zeigler, of Herndon, that their son, Sergeant Charles E. Zeigler, of the army, has been reported killed in action, 25 December 1944, in the European war theater.
He had been previously reported as missing.
Sergeant Zeigler, who was graduated from the Herndon High School, class of 1941, entered the army 23 March 1943.
He had received training at Camp Blanding, Florida; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Camp Rucker, Alabama, before assignment to overseas duty.
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This notification appeared in a local newspaper at the time his death was confirmed.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.