The Poplar Bluff Commander

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales about us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Charles Danner enlisted in 1928. He began serving in the 140th Infantry Regiment of the Missouri National Guard. The unit was home based in the Poplar Bluff Armory. He served for 12 years as a guardsman and was then commissioned as a lieutenant. In 1942, he became company commander of the Poplar Bluff unit.

In World War II, Capt. Danner was deployed to the south Pacific. He joined the 69th Infantry Regiment in the Philippines as a company commander again. On April 7, 1945, Capt. Danner led his unit on a night assault on Bigti Pass. He spearheaded the attack up the cliffs and after numerous attempts, captured the high ground. His unit fought back numerous Japanese counter attacks and held the pass. Capt. Danner was awarded the Bronze Star medal for Valor.

At the end of the war, Charles Danner served with the occupation forces of Japan. He returned to Poplar Bluff in 1947 and rejoined the Missouri National Guard. Now a lieutenant colonel, he became the battalion commander of the 140th Infantry Regiment. Lt. Col. Danner retired in 1964. He was truly the Poplar Bluff commander. He served 32 years in the Poplar Bluff unit, 26 years as a commander. The 140th Infantry Regiment and the Poplar Bluff Armory are his legacy.

Lt. Col. Danner’s uniform, medals, biography and swagger stick are on display in the Kanell Hall, located in the Poplar Bluff Museum. The museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.