CHARLIE JEFFERSON BURNHAM

   Charlie Jefferson Burnham went home to be with his lord and savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, March 2, 2006.
   Charlie was born near Headland, Ala., on Jan. 27, 1923, to William Marion Burnham and Cora Bullard Burnham.
   He is preceded in death by his parents; a young son, Charlie Jefferson Burnham Jr.; four brothers; and three sisters.
   He is survived by his wife, Dot Burnham; his daughter, Tracy Burnham Burt; one grandson, John Burt and his wife, Heather; and one granddaughter, Anne-Michael Eberhardt and her husband, David. He is also survived by four sisters, Frances Edwards, Marion Oswald, Gwen Granger and Sybil Jones; and one sister-in-law, Rubene Burnham. Numerous nieces and nephews are also a part of this loving family.
   Charlie served his country during World War II as a paratrooper with the 553rd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where all but 105 of his division lost their lives. He received several awards from both the U.S. Army and the Belgian government.
   He moved to Panama City in 1952 to work for Sears Roebuck & Co. He later worked for Fowhand Furniture Co. and Liberty National Life Insurance Co. He owned and operated Burnham's Drapery Service for many years.
   He and his family are members of First Baptist Church of Panama City, Fla., and his children are members of Faith Christian Family Church.
   Visitation will be this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 214 Airport Road. The service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2006, also at Wilson Funeral Home with the Rev. Clyde Ellison and Pastor Markus Bishop officiating.
   Friends may, if they choose, make a contribution to the Panama City Rescue Mission in Mr. Burnham's name.
   Wilson Funeral Home Family Owned Since 1911 Panama City, Fla. 785-5272 214 Airport Road.

[courtesy of "Alton & Loudonia"]

Grave marker for Charlie J. Burnham in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Panama City (Bay county), Florida.

Charlie enlisted in the Army at Fort McClellan, AL on 11 January 1943.

On 27 January 1945, SSgt Burnham was transferred from the 551st PIR to Service Company, 508th PIR. 

He was then transferred to Company C on 2 February 1945

He was promoted to TSgt on 16 June 1945,.

His military decorations include the Bronze Service Arrowhead device for the Southern France Campaign and Airborne Operations.