Remembering Rippon's Legacy:

Rippon died, like so many others, paying the ultimate sacrifice on the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 1944. He was a 1st class Electrician mate. Rippon was the essence of what American's should strive to be. Coming from a family of immigrants, Rippon found a home in America, so much so that he was willing to go to war and do his part to fight for freedom. May his name, and the names of so many others who paid the ultimate price for freedom, never be forgotten. 

 

Normandy American Cemetery:

This cemetery is located in Coleville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, and overlooks Omaha beach, one of the landing sites for the allies on D-Day. The cemetery is regarded as one of the most simplistic, and yet beautiful designs for a World War II cemetery and Memorial. The site spans 172.5 acres, and contains the headstones of 9,387 fallen Americans. Each headstone contains only the name of the fallen soldier, and headstones are in the shape of the Christian Cross, Star of David, and most recently the Crescent Moon of Islam. 

Charles Rippon was awarded the Purple heart medal. The purple heart is a medal awarded to American service members who have died in service as a result of enemy combat. The purple heart was initially named in 1932 with the purpose of honoring the ultimate sacrifice of American servicemen. To date, over 2,000,000 purple heart medals have been awarded. 

Rippon's headstone located in the Wardvale Cemetery in Johnsonburg