In 1945 the troop ship Lawrence Victory gave Charles a ride home, but not the way he had originally planned.

Charles A. Parmenter was born in Davenport, California, on July 28, 1923, to Arthur M. and Elizabeth Parmenter. He attended local schools and entered Santa Cruz High School about 1938. In high school he followed a trade and industrial curriculum. In February 1942, Parmenter transferred to Oakland Evening School, graduated in June and found employment in Alameda County as a welder.

On February 17, 1943, Charles Parmenter was inducted into the US Army in San Francisco and sent to Camp Wolters, Texas, for basic training. After completing the infantry training program, he was assigned to the Texas 141st Infantry Regiment of the 36th Infantry Division. That summer, he was sent to North Africa and by 1944 was in Italy.

“The Germans called the 141st "wild men from Texas, skilled in field craft and fighting." In January and February, 1944 the 141st reached the River Rapido, a name that left a bloody page in the records of the 141st and 143rd. Terrible casualties resulted as the Alamo Regiment attempted to force the stream, lacking boats, bridges and artillery support. The 48 hours at the Rapido River cost the Regiment dearly. And there still was fighting ahead, Monte Cassino. By the end of this campaign, February 27, platoons were reduced to squads, companies to platoon strength and battalions to two hundred men.”

It is likely that Private Charles A. Parmenter lost his life while fighting in the area of the River Rapido on February 8, 1944. He was initially buried in Italy, but his remains were returned home in 1945. His final resting place has not been identified.

(NARA2; SCHSC Pg. 15, SCSn March 15, 1944 1:6, November 11, 1948 2:5;Texas Military Forces Museum, 141st Infantry Regiment, http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/36division/archives/ 141/141lin.htm, [16 September 2008])