June 16, 1925 (Norwalk CT) – April 17, 1945; 19 years old; unmarried
Last local address: 197 East Avenue, Norwalk
Enlisted July 1943
Service number: 31336674
182ND INFANTRY, AMERICAL DIVISION, COMPANY C
Charles was killed in action on Cebu Island, Philippines.
From The Norwalk Hour May 5, 1945
PFC CHARLES F. KUCH KILLS SEVERAL NIPS; SAYS THEY ARE PLENTY TOUGH GUYS
With the Americal Division somewhere in the Southwest Pacific – In the recent bitter fighting for Nip Gap, on this jungle island, PFC Charles Frederick Kuch, first scout of a rifle squad in a veteran fighting regiment, distinguished himself as the first man to reach the top of the key hill where the main body of Japs were entrenched. Kuch is from Norwalk, Connecticut. In the 30 minutes following Kuch’s arrival at the top of the hill more than 30 Japs were annihilated at the cost of one man. Though Kuch cannot, as most of the men, actually claim to any certain number of Japs, he undoubtedly killed several during the brief engagement. Said the 19-year-old rifleman, “I wouldn’t say the Japs were so anxious to die. They impressed me as being hard to kill. My sergeant emptied a whole clip into one and it didn’t’ kill him. I saw a barman fire nearly all of his 20-round clip into a running Jap at point blank range to stop him. They’re plenty tough guys.”
From The Norwalk Hour May 5, 1945
Sergeant Charles Frederick Kuch III, died of wounds on the Island of Cebu on April 17, according to word received today from the War Department by his father, Charles F. Kuch of 197 East Avenue. Sergeant Kuch was only recently promoted from private, receiving a commendation for meritorious service on Bougainville in the Pacific. He was 19 years old and had been overseas for 16 months. He attended Norwalk High School where he was active in athletics.
Staff Sergeant Kuch is buried in Riverside Cemetery; Section 18, Plot 16A.
