CHAMBERSBURG- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1599 is named after World War I veteran Charles Nitterhouse, but who was the man? He is remembered as the first soldier from Chambersburg to lose his life in the war of Europe on July 15, 1918, but to the members of his family and the city he grew up in, he was so much more than that.
Nitterhouse was born on June 30, 1899 to parents Barnett and Ida Nitterhouse and was one of ten children who lived on North Federal Street. Barnett was a carpenter and worked for many years on the Cumberland Valley Railroad. His strong work ethic was instilled in his children, especially his seventh son, Charles, who went by the nickname “Chink” when he was younger. Charles was well known around his community through his work as a paperboy for the Public Opinion and his membership with the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Later when he was older, he worked for the Chambersburg Woolen Mills. His family were also members of the Zion Reformed Church.
However, it was the service for his country that called to the young man. When his father passed away when he was seventeen, Nitterhouse pleaded with his mother to allow him to enlist in the National Guard when he came of age. She consented and he joined Company C of the 18th Regiment where he served on the Mexican border. He had an excellent service record and when the United States joined the allied forces during WWI, Nitterhouse was quick to answer the call.
He became a member of Company C, 112th Regiment and like so many other young men his age was sent overseas to France and joined in the war against Germany and their allies. While details of Nitterhouse’s responsibilities during the war are unknown, it is known that he served Danizy, Departemnet de l’Aisne, Picardie, France which is where he died in service to his country. Details of his death have not been revealed. He had just turned nineteen of age not three weeks before.
His family still speaks with great pride when the subject of the war comes up. His nieces and nephews have spent a great deal of time doing research to preserve their family’s legacy. Charles was not the only member of the Nitterhouse family to give the ultimate sacrifice. Two of his nephews, Private First-Class Howard Nitterhouse, Jr and Private Ralph “Red” Nitterhouse both lost their lives in combat during the second World War, and a third nephew, Corporal Richard Bly was killed in action during the Korean War. It is a family of heroes.
The community of Chambersburg have also done their part to honor their fallen son. In 1986, the VFW Post 99 was dedicated in his honor with his name and a special memorial case featuring photos and articles pertaining to him and family was assembled. In 2022, Chambersburg honored their military service men and women with “Hometown Hero Banners” that were hung from the light poles through the city, the first to be hung was one honoring Charles Nitterhouse.
While his body remains interred at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial in Belleau, Departement de l’Aisne, Picardie, France his name was also added to the marker that sits at his father’s grave in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Chambersburg.
