CHAS. NADEN WAR VICTIM
Former W. C. Gunner Died Aug. 3
Was on Flying Fortress
Cpl. Charles K. Naden, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Naden, former Webster City residents now living at Wilmington, Del., died August 3, as a result of wounds received in action, friends and relatives here have been notified.
Corporal Naden, a gunner aboard a Flying Fortress, evidentially was fatally wounded while on a bombing mission over Europe. He had only recently arrived in England.
In the service for approximately 14 months, Corporal Naden first took training with the engineering corps before transferring to the air corps where he took gunnery training. Before being moved overseas, he was stationed at Ardmore, Kans.
A graduate of the Webster City school in 1942, he was employed at the Martin bomber plant, Omaha, Neb., before entering the Army.
Besides his parents, Corporal Naden is survived by two brotehrs and one sister: Gardner, a chief radioman, on the radio theory teaching staff at the maritime radio school, Gallups Island, Boston Harbor; Ensign Robert, now an instructor at Norfolk, Va., and Mrs. Doris Kapolia of Newton.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, August 15, 1944
Sgt. Charles Naden
Dies of Wound
Received In France
Mrs. Clara Gardner recieved a telephone call Monday from her daughter, Mrs. William Naden of New Castle, Delaware, who told her that her youngest son, St. Charles Naden, 20, had died in a hospital in England, August 3, 1944, from wounds received in action over France.
Sergeant Naden was born in Webster City and graduated from the high school there. He entered the army air corps May 1, 1943; completed his training and was sent overseas July 1, 1944. He was given three weeks advanced training in England as a tail gunner on a B-17, and it is presumed he lost his life after he had made only a few missions.
Mrs. Naden said that the government message gave no details other than that he was wounded in action over France and was brought back to the base in England
His parents were born and reared in Osage. His mother is the former Ruth Gardner. The family lived in Webster City until Mr. Naden closed his business to take a government position in the east. They and their daughter, Mrs. Doris Copolla, are now living in New Castle, Del.
Surviving, besides those mentioned are two brothers, Gardner Naden of the Merchant Marines, who is a chief radioman and an instructor of radio, and Ensign Robert Naden, an instructor at Little Creek, Virginia.
Osage relatives include his aunts, Mrs. Maude Brown, Mrs. Doris Taylor and Mrs. Linton Arsers.
Source: Mitchell County Press, August 17, 1944
DIED AUG. 3 IN ENGLAND
Charles K. Naden Was a Sergeant at Time of His Death.
Charles K. Naden, 20, who died Aug. 3, in England from injuries received in action, was a sergeant at the time of his death, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Naden, now living at Wilmington, Del., have notified the Freeman-Journal.
A tail gunner aboard a B-17, Sergeant Naden was mentioned as a corporal in a report last week of his death.
Sgt. Charles Keith Naden was born in Webster City, March 4, 1924 and died August 3, 1944 in England from injuries received in action.
Graduated in 1942
Charles attended the Webster City public schools and was graduated from Lincoln High school. He was a member of the Methodist church in Webster City and belonged to the Boy Scouts and the DeMolay. After his graduation, he was employed at the Martin Bomber plant, Omaha, Neb.
He was inducted into the service May 1, 1943 at Camp Dodge in Des Moines. He received his wings when he was graduated f rom the army air corps gunnery school at Las Vegas, Nev., March 11, 1944. After advanced training at Ardmore, Okla., he was sent to England early in July making the trip by plane.
Youngest Son
Charles was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Naden, who have closed their home here temporarily while Mr. Naden is inspecting for the Martin Bomber Co. at Wilmington, Delaware.
Besides his parents he leaves two brothers and a sister, Gardner, who is a chief radioman and an instructor in the maritime radio school at Boston, Mass., Robert, an ensign in the United States navy who is an instructor in the communications school at Little Creek, Va., Mrs. Doris Coppola of New Castle, Del., his grandmother, Mrs. Clara Gardner of Osage, Iowa, and a number of aunts and uncles.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Aug. 22, 1944
PURPLE HEART
Sgt. Charles Naden, former Webster City aerial gunner who died Aug. 3, of injuries received while in action in the European theater, has been honored with the posthumous award of the purple heart, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Naden of Grand Rapids, Mich., have been notified. Mr. and Mrs. Naden have also received a citation of honor from the air forces.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Dec. 2, 1944
Body of Former
Osage Resident
Returned to U. S.
OSAGE, IOWA — The body of a World war II veteran, son of former Osage residents, arrived at New York Monday on the U. S. Lt. James Robinson, according to word from Webster City. Sgt. Charles K. Naden, 20 years old, was killed in a plane crash in England following a mission he had just completed.
Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Naden, both reared in Osage, 2 brothers, Robert and Gardner, of Webtser City, a sister, Mrs. Joseph Coppola, Des Moines, and a grandmother, Mrs. Clara Gardner, Osage.
Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, December 11, 1948
Charles Keith Naden was born Mar. 4, 1924 to William Isaac and Ruth Emma Gardner Naden. He died Aug. 3, 1944 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Sgt. Naden was a tail gunner on a B-17 that was damaged in a raid over Germany. It made a crash landing on its return to England.
Sources:
ancestry.com
World War II Memorial
World War II Memorial Honoree
