MSgt Charles C "Monk" Arndt, 89, of Caledonia, MS. He served during WWII as a scout for the 1st Mar Div intelligence. He was on the ill-fated Goettge Patrol Aug 12, 1942, which included 23 Marines, a Navy doctor, a coxswain and a Japanese POW who walked into a Japanese ambush. Only three - Sgt Frank Few, Cpl Joseph Spaulding and a Sgt Arndt- survived. (See Leatherneck August 1992), "The Goettge Patrol: Searching for Answers,") He was the last surviving member of that patrol and earned the Silver Star for his actions that day in later action Aug 18.

In 1950, he fought at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea. He also was a Distinguished marskman who retired in 1964 with 26 years of service. He was a member of the Marine Corps Association. The Chosin Few, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Distinguished Shooter Association, 1st Mar Div Assn and 2d Mar Div Assoc.
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Silver Star Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Charles C. Arndt (MCSN: 265328), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Regimental Intelligence Observer of the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during attacks against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the nights of 12 and 18 August 1942. When his patrol was ambushed by greatly superior forces, Sergeant Arndt courageously and fearlessly broke through the enemy lines, plunged into the sea, swam nearly 600 yards and then proceeded barefoot over coral reefs for two miles in an attempt to bring aid to his beleaguered comrades. Throughout this action he was continuously hunted and fired upon by enemy patrols. On the second occasion when his men were again surrounded by Japanese during the fight in the village of Matanikau, Sergeant Arndt, with utter disregard for his personal safety, swam out to sea to contact the artillery fire control boat for assistance. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander South Pacific Force and Area: Serial 480j (January 2, 1943)

Action Date: August 18 - 19, 1942
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Headquarters & Service Company
Regiment: 5th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division
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Obituary courtesy of Barbara Wiley Hamby
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Charles Casper "Monk" Arndt, 89, of Caledonia, MS, died Monday, September 22, 2008 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. Services will be held at Gunter and Peel Funeral Home on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Glenn Edmonds officiating. Visitation will be at Gunter and Peel Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. He was born May 11, 1919, in Van Vleet, MS, to Charles and Kareda House Arndt. The family lived in Chickasaw County until he joined the Marines in 1938. Monk served in World War II with the 1st Marine Division of the 5th Marine Intelligence Section as a scout. While serving in the Pacific, he fought battles at Guadalcanal as a senior scout for the ill fated Goettge Patrol and also in the Spurlock Patrol where he earned the Silver Star for his actions. During the Korean Conflict, while serving as a ammunition's specialist, he supplied ammunition to the vastly outnumbered and surrounded US troops at the Chosin Reservoir. He received a Letter of commendation for his actions. He was also a Distinguished Marksman. After serving 26 years of active service and 4 years reserve duty, he retired in 1964 as a Senior Master Sergeant. During retirement, Charlie worked at the Lowndes County Co-op and at MSCW/MUW in the maintenance and laundry departments. Monk was a member of the VFW, The Chosin Few, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Distinguished Shooter Association, American Legion, First Marine Division Association, Second Marine Division and the National Rifle Association. His favorite pastimes include: reading, golfing, participating in Marine Corp reunions, attending Saturday night singing at the music house, visiting friends, joining mission trips with Border Springs Baptist Church, and traveling in his motor home with his special companion, Dorothy "Dot" Bell. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Sarah Groves Arndt; his parents, Charles and Kareda Arndt; his brother, Eugene Arndt and his sister, Elizabeth Arndt Todd. Survivors include one sister - Miriam Arndt Threadgill; sister-in-law - Earlene Egger; son - Charles "Chuck" Arndt; daughter - Nancy Arndt Brown (Perry); daughter - Elsie Arndt Johnson (Billy), daughter - Anita Arndt Yerly (Bud) and son - Earl F. Arndt (Beverly). Grandchildren include - Patti Brown Stanley, Nicole Wallace Gosa, Natalie Brown, Anita Bradley Phillips, Heather Yerly Schroeder, Jamie Wallace, Joshua Arndt, Adam Yerly, Crystal Johnson, Jodie Arndt Butler, William (Dusty) Johnson, Charles (Charlie) Arndt, Erick Yerly, and Sarah Arndt Caldwell. Great-grandchildren include - Andy Thompson, Peyton Stanley, Amy Thompson, Gabrielle Wallace, Cooper Stanley, James Wallace, Andrew Chism, Breanna Gosa and Sophie Gosa. Charlie also leaves behind his special friend and care-giver Ruthie Goodman and his constant and loving companion Dot Bell. The United States Marine Corp and the Marine Corp. League will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Toys for Tots, Border Springs Baptist Church, The American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor's choice.

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