Cornelius Charlton, born in Eastgulf, West Virginia in 1929, grew up in a coal mining family until his family moved to the Bronx in 1944. After graduating high school, Cornelius enlisted in the Army. While in the Army, he served in the German occupation, doing administrative work, until he was transferred to Korea in 1950. There he started out in an engineering group well behind the lines of action. Cornelius requested to be transferred to an infantry regiment, the only remaining black regiment in the Army – the 24th Regiment.
United States Army Sergeant Cornelius H. “Connie” Charlton, of Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, died in a series of heroic charges up Hill 543 near Chipo-ri, Korea. Receiving mortal wounds from enemy fire and grenades, Charlton took command of his company after the commander had been evacuated due to injuries. In a series of three charges up the hill, and one final charge down the other side, Charlton was mortally wounded. He was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor for his heroism and leadership. The I-77 bridges which cross the Bluestone River were dedicated to his honor.