Charles White Whittlesey

About

Commander of the Lost Battalion of World War I and recipient of the Medal of Honor. He committed suicide at the age of 37. However, those close to him stated he lost his life on the battlefield, as his death was a result of the trauma he'd faced. 

Before Fame

He joined the Army in 1917, just before the U.S. officially entered World War I. Following his initial military training, he was sent to France.

Trivia

He famously refused to surrender during an October 1918 battle in which he and his men found themselves surrounded by enemy troops and cut off from supplies.

Family Life

He was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Massachusetts.

Associated With

He was portrayed by actor Rick Schroder in the A&E television film The Lost Battalion.