World War II Veteran, Charles A. Eustis, 88, was living in Pittsburgh, PA in November of 1942 when he was drafted. His first active duty date was December 7, 1942. Charles, and three of his brothers served in Europe, he was in the Army Infantry and faced combat during his time there.
Charles served in the 1st Battalion HQ Co 376 Infantry 94th Division. He trained in Camp Phillips, Kansas; Maneuvers in Tennessee, Camp McCain in Elliott, Mississippi; Camp Shanks in the Town of Orangetown, NY and then spent 13 months in the European Theater of Operations. He was discharged after 2 years and 11 months.
Charles has received many awards both during and after combat, both from the United States and Foreign Countries including; the Expert Infantry Badge, Various fire arm awards, Wheeled Vehicle License, Expert Infantry Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, the Combat Infantry Award, European Theater of Operations with four Battle Stars: Normandy, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) Rhineland and Central Europe, the Ruhr Pocket; two bronze stars, a Victory Medal, a Service Medal from New York, a Medal for service with Valor from New York State; Occupation of Germany Medal, Award from the Province of Normandy, the Cold War Medal from Czechoslovakia and the French Legion of Honor, which was presented to him on Veterans Day 2011 at the French Embassy in New York City along with 21 other WWII Veterans.
In civilian life, Charles was Managing Editor of Automotive Publications for the Hearst Corporation. He has faithfully served his community in various capacities; President of Cub Scout Pack 125, Officer in the First Presbyterian Church, little league baseball coach, President of the West Nyack Free Library and Officer in the Clarkstown Reformed Church.
Since retiring, Charles resides in Delhi, NY where he has been active in several missions of the First Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Delaware County Historical Association, The Legacy Group, and The American Legion Post 190; where he has held various appointed offices and for the past five years, has assisted teachers in the Elementary Department of Delaware Academy with students who need assistance learning to read.
