Corporal Charlie L. Hand, Jr.

Our Hometown Heroes

Charlie L. Hand, Jr.

Buried in One of Oldest Parts of Cemetery

Charlie L. Hand, Jr. was born on May 27, 1914. He joined the U.S. Army in World War II when he was older than most of the young soldiers. Hand was 27 years old when he enlisted on January 21, 1941. This was before the U.S. became “officially involved,” in the war when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

His mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie E. Hand, who lived at 304 Experiment Street, were parents to six children, including Charlie. He attended school through the Fourth Grade and then went to work in textiles as a scrubber. Many times the work of cleaning up the lint the mills produced was performed by children.

Hand swore his oath of allegiance to the United States when he joined the Army in 1941 at Ft. McPherson near Atlanta.

Not much thereafter is known about the Spalding County soldier. Research shows that he earned the rank of Corporal. Charlie L. Hand, Jr. died on August 4, 1943. He is buried in one of the older cemeteries in Griffin at Rest Haven.