Veterans' Memorial Project

Charles William (Chart) Pflager Jr.

Evanston, IL

World War II

Lt. Pflager was promoted to First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps Reserve, on March 15, 1939 at Fifth Corps Area Headquarters, Fort Hayes, Ohio. On August 28, 1941, just before the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) and the war broke out, Charles was sailing on the President Pierce to Manila. Subsequent to the U.S. declaring war on Japan, he served in the battles of Panay, Bataan, and Corregidor. Lt. Pflager was reported a prisoner of the Japanese on December 15, 1942. He had traveled to Japan on the Japanese Hell Ship, Nagato Maru from Manila on November 11, 1942. It arrived at Takao, Formosa, on November 14. It sailed again on November 17 to the Pescadores Islands off Formosa. It sailed to Keelung, Formosa, on November 18 and arrived that same day. It sailed again on November 20 and arrived in Moji, Japan, on November 24. The POW’s at Tanagawa tore down a mountain with picks and shovels to build a dry dock. Lt. Pflager was held as a POW in the Philippines at Camp O’Donnell and Cabanatuan. He died August 10, 1943 at Camp Ofaki, the Tanagawa Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines. He was part of the infamous Japanese Death March, in which Lt. Pflager carried his Bible and “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” His death was reported to the family as follows:
My Dear Mrs. Pflager:
Enclosed you will find a few personal belongings of your son, which I have arranged to keep. He was a very good friend of mine so asked I do this for him.
His death occurred August 10, 1943, from tuberculosis which involved both lungs and became pneumonic. His illness followed a long run which the Japanese forced us to go on. During this run he became very breathless and was forced to sit down, where upon he was beaten and forced to carry on. Upon return to Camp he became very ill with symptoms of pneumonia, which failed to respond to any treatment I could give him. His death occurred about 20 days later with extreme respiratory distress. During all this time he endured with a courage which was most commendable, being a credit to his country, family and position. I am sorry I could not do more for him, but our conditions were extremely wretched and medical supplies practically nonexistent. However, it is my belief that but little more could have been done for him even if he had been at home.” Sent by: George W. Campbell, Major Medical Corps, U.S. Army.
Lr. Pflager is listed on these additional memorials for his World War II service:
The Pali Monument in Hawaii
Harvard University Memorial Church
The Bronze Bell Tower Plaque at Valley Forge
The Evanston War Memorial, Evanston, IL
Lt. Pflager is buried at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines, Plot B Row 16 Grave 153.

-submitted by Elizabeth Irwin, niece

Further information: https://abmc.gov