Fw: Daily Plant: Charlton-Thompson Garden Named in Honor of Bronx War Heroes

Wednesday, August 31, 2011     Volume XXVI, Number 5483     Photo by Malcolm Pinckney     Charlton-Thompson Garden Named in Honor of Bronx War Heroes   On August 16, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Congressman José E. Serrano, City Council Members Helen Diane Foster and Melissa Mark-Viverito, Community Board 3 District Manager John Dudley, local veterans - including members of the Friends of Charlton Garden and the 24th Infantry Regiment Combat Team Association, and family members of Sgt. Cornelius Charlton and Pfc. William Thompson to cut the ribbon on $3.7 million in renovations to the garden and rename the site to honor both men. Before the event James Thompson, cousin of Pfc. Thompson, led a procession of veterans in the presentation of the colors.     "Building world-class parks throughout the city has been one of the hallmarks of the Bloomberg administration, and since 2002 we have put more than $600 million into parks in the Bronx," said Commissioner Benepe. "However this would not have been possible without community involvement - whether established conservancies, fledgling friends groups, or local stewards. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the Friends of Charlton Garden - a group of local veterans, and the support of Bronx elected officials, we have been able to a remake Charlton-Thompson Garden into a worthy memorial for two war heroes from this community."     Thanks to $1,900,000 from Council Member Helen Diane Foster, $1,300,000 from Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a $500,000 federal grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Parks reconstructed this garden with a rebuilt pergola, expanded planted areas, reconstructed entrance, ADA-compliant ramp, decorative pavers, fencing, lighting, and a new flagpole with a stone base that includes inscriptions honoring both Charlton and Thompson.     The property for the Charlton-Thompson Garden was acquired by the City of New York and opened as a park in 1935. In 1952, the City Council passed a local law that named the property Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton Playground. Charlton had received the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions during the Korean War. During this latest reconstruction, the site was renamed to honor both Charlton and Thompson, another Bronx resident who also received a posthumous Medal of Honor.     CHARLTON, CORNELIUS H.     Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Chipo-ri, Korea, 2 June 1951. Entered service at: Bronx, N.Y. Born: 24 July 1929, East Gulf, W. Va.     G.O. No.: 30, 19 March 1952. Citation: Sgt. Charlton, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His platoon was attacking heavily defended hostile positions on commanding ground when the leader was wounded and evacuated. Sgt. Charlton assumed command, rallied the men, and spearheaded the assault against the hill. Personally eliminating 2 hostile positions and killing 6 of the enemy with his rifle fire and grenades, he continued up the slope until the unit suffered heavy casualties and became pinned down. Regrouping the men he led them forward only to be again hurled back by a shower of grenades. Despite a severe chest wound, Sgt. Charlton refused medical attention and led a third daring charge which carried to the crest of the ridge. Observing that the remaining emplacement which had retarded the advance was situated on the reverse slope, he charged it alone, was again hit by a grenade but raked the position with a devastating fire which eliminated it and routed the defenders. The wounds received during his daring exploits resulted in his death but his indomitable courage, superb leadership, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself the infantry, and the military service.     THOMPSON, WILLIAM     Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 24th Company M, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Haman, Korea, 6 August 1950. Entered service at: Bronx, N.Y. Birth: New York, N.Y.     G.O. No.: 63, 2 August 1951. Citation: Pfc. Thompson, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While his platoon was reorganizing under cover of darkness, fanatical enemy forces in overwhelming strength launched a surprise attack on the unit. Pfc. Thompson set up his machine gun in the path of the onslaught and swept the enemy with withering fire, pinning them down momentarily thus permitting the remainder of his platoon to withdraw to a more tenable position. Although hit repeatedly by grenade fragments and small-arms fire, he resisted all efforts of his comrades to induce him to withdraw, steadfastly remained at his machine gun and continued to deliver deadly, accurate fire until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade. Pfc. Thompson's dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit on himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of military service.     QUOTATION FOR THE DAY     "Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."     John Lennon     (1940 - 1980)