Charles W. Matthews papers

Charles W. Matthews was an Army officer during World War II and an engineer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he received a graduate degree in planning. He served as a base signal officer at Roswell, New Mexico, before being sent to Europe as a member of General Patton's Third Army. Matthews was a civil affairs attachment commander in England, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg during the Battle of Bulge. One of his duties included evacuating civilians from towns and villages during battles and relocating them to safer areas. He is credited with saving thousands of lives. After the Battle of the Bulge, Matthews served as a military government detachment commander in Bavaria, Germany. During his service, Matthews rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, received four campaign medals, and a Purple Heart.

After the war, Matthews moved to Cincinnati where he was principal associate in Ladislas Segoe & Associates engineering firm. After 20 years with that firm, he opened his own consultant business and worked with firms in West Virginia, Michigan, and Ohio. He retired in 1975 and passed away in 1988