Didn’t think I’d come across another high-level Kentucky valor recipient, but here we are! This grouping belonged to Captain Charles Hoge, a Silver Star and double Bronze Star recipient who served as the Communications Officer and HQ Battery commander for the 46th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division.

 

Hoge, a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, left his prominent family to attend VMI and start a military career. He was a cadre member of the 5th ID artillery from 1940 onward and by the time combat began in Normandy in July 1944, was the battalion communications officer and HQ Battery commander for the 46th Field Artillery Battalion. 

 

I highly suggest reading my full article here, as I was able to find a vast wealth of information on Hoge’s actions during the war:

 

https://www.36thdivisionarchive.com/pa-eto-hoge

 

He distinguished himself no less than three times during the war warranting a decoration, the first being a Bronze Star for his exemplary role overseeing, maintaining, and leading the entire battalion on a 763-mile drive through France during a single month as they pushed deep out of Normandy, not losing a single piece of gear or vehicle. His citation reads:

 

“Captain Charles M. Hoge, 0389304, 46th Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army. For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy from 4 August 1944 to 3 September 1944 in France. Captain Hoge was a Battery Commander during this entire period. The Battery traveled 763 miles and participated in six engagements with the enemy. No vehicle was lost due to mechanical failure and all vehicles were accounted for after each day’s march. All positions were occupied efficiently and rapidly which enabled the Battalion to be prepared to deliver fire in support of the infantry in the shortest possible time. In some instances the Battery was sent on separate missions and under some instances the Battery was sent on separate missions and under such circumstances conducted itself in an excellent manner. The successful operations of the Battalion was made possible by thorough briefing and constant checking of small details by Captain Hoge within his Battery. Due to Captain Hoge’s leadership and devotion to duty his battery contributed immeasurably to the successful advance of the combat team which the Battalion was a part. His actions reflect great credit on himself and our armed forces. Entered military service from Kentucky”

 

The second, his Silver Star, came in February 1945 when the battalion’s designated infantry regiment, the 10th, was pushing across the Sauer River near Weilerbach under incredibly intense enemy artillery and MG fire. Requiring wire communications to maintain contact and provide sufficient fire support, Hoge crossed the river with the first wave troops and spent several days working under incredible danger providing creative solutions to keep communications open. His citation reads:

 

“Captain Charles M. Hoge, 0389304, 46th Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army. For gallantry in action on 7 [through 10] February 1945 in the vicinity of Weilerbach, Germany. When wire communications were imperative during bridgehead operations across the Sauer River, Captain Hoge, the battery commander, and communications officer, disregarding personal safety, succeeded in crossing the river with the assault elements under intense enemy fire. Skillfully establishing communications between the forward observers and the artillery liaison officers, Captain Hoge enabled our artillery to bring accurate, effective, and precision artillery fire upon the enemy’s positions. His technical skill, courage, and unswerving devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and our armed forces. Entered military service from Kentucky.“

 

His final act of heroism came a month later for similar actions when the same regiment was attempting to cross the Main River to attack Frankfurt under extremely heavy enemy fire. Here he utilized an M29 Weasel to drag wire across the river under extreme fire, to continue providing communications between the artillery and infantry. This citation reads:

 

“Captain Charles M. Hoge, 0389304, 46th Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army. For distinctive heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy on [27 through] 29 March 1945 in the vicinity of Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. When forward elements of the infantry had crossed the Main River into Frankfurt and it became necessary to install wire communications between the infantry and supporting artillery, Captain Hoge, a communications officer, with utter disregard for personal safety and in the face of intense artillery fire, crossed the river in amphibious vehicles and led his wire crew in the laying of a line, resulting in the installation of a rapid, efficient channel for transmission of fire calls. His coolness and courage under fire and his devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered military service from Kentucky.”

 

After the war he returned home to Kentucky and become a true civic leader in Frankfort. Alongside his insurance firm, he was heavily involved in numerous other areas of local life, overseeing the local YMCA, serving on the Salvation Army advisory board, becoming a member of the Lions Club, spending time on the board of the Red Cross, receiving an appointment as director of State National Bank and even becoming Trustee of his own Presbyterian Church. Hoge was nothing if not a truly magnificent example of the American “citizen soldier.” Putting away his uniform for a tailored suit, Hoge was a soldier, a war hero, a businessman, a leader, and a proud American. It is with honor we should remember his story and sacrifices.

 

Read the full story on my website, it’s a good one!

Beautiful uniform. Amazing documentation and story!!

Very well done, beautiful jacket.

Fantastic job with the documentation and preserving the Captians service and sacrifice for generations to come. I look forward to checking out his story on your website tonight.

Thanks y’all, I’m glad to bring the group home and to add another great Kentucky valor recipient to the collection.

Beautiful group and documentation. Love the VMI uniform as well.

Outstanding grouping. You did a great job of documentation !

I used to own this - I’m glad to see it still has the VMI uniforms; someone wanted to separate it all. 
 

I had requested his records and never found his citations - how did you find them?

Also, when I had it, I don’t believe there were DI’s, paper items (other than the 2 photos), and no VMI hat.

On 1/4/2024 at 5:56 PM, Cpl. Punishment said:

I used to own this - I’m glad to see it still has the VMI uniforms; someone wanted to separate it all. 
 

I had requested his records and never found his citations - how did you find them?

 

I am very glad as well, it's cool to find something like that still with the rest of the group. Also, I believe there was another small part of the group separate that was reunited with the prior owner but I don't recall exactly.

 

I got all the records from VMI, seems he had sent them copies of all his paperwork and they were happy to share.