Published May 26, 2021
By HELEN BREEN
LYNNFIELD — Charles Wesley Tuttle grew up at 38 Forest Hill Ave. in a long established Lynnfield family.
A popular young man, he was a graduate of Wakefield High School, where he was an outstanding athlete. Wes, as he was known, was 33-years-old and living in Lynn when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He received his training as a gunner in Florida before his overseas duty in the Pacific.
According to his obituary in the Lynnfield Village Press, Wes had been hospitalized for a wound suffered in combat, but “was eager to get back in action.” He died shortly thereafter in an airplane crash in New Guinea on Aug. 7, 1943.
The notice continued, “He has one son Robert, four-years-old, who has made his home for the past year with Sgt. Tuttle’s sister, Mrs. Mildred Lisi, at the Tuttle family home on Forest Hill Avenue in Lynnfield Center.”
Surviving relatives
Last year, my neighbor Jan Lisi told me that she and her husband Arthur were delighted when they learned that the new upscale housing subdivision on Summer Street in Lynnfield would be called Tuttle Lane in honor of Arthur’s uncle, Sgt. Charles Wesley Tuttle. The couple has remained in touch with Wes’ son Bob though the years and gave me his contact information.
I recently spoke with Bob, who lives with his family in Big Lake, Minnesota. He is retired from a 38-year-career as a missionary in Latin America for the Evangelical Free Church of America. As a youngster, Bob was very close to his maternal grandmother in Michigan, who often spoke warmly about his dad. She saved some 50 letters that Wes had sent to his mother during the war. They were full of love and concern for his young son, and are treasured by him to this day.
Researching military records years later, Bob learned that his dad had not died from enemy fire, but from engine failure on a Red Cross plane on which he was flying. He also discovered that Wes was buried in the Long Island National Cemetery in New York. In May 1989, at age 51, he and his wife “came East” to visit his father’s grave, a very moving experience that provided some closure for Bob.
Lynnfield veterans
Our town has a rich tradition of honoring our veterans. With that in mind, Lynnfield American Legion Post 131 Commander Paul Donato addressed the April 24, 2019 Planning Board meeting. He offered a slate of our fallen heroes for consideration in naming the new subdivision.
Donato left it to the developer to choose the name, an arrangement with which their atty. Theodore Regnante was in agreement. Planning Board member Charlie Wills mentioned that nearby Todd Lane had also been named for two young men from the Todd family, who had died at the end of World War II.
During a Planning Board’s meeting a month later, Ken Gudek, a developer’s partner, said that the venture would be called “Tuttle Lane” in honor of Sgt. Tuttle. The Planning Board agreed.
Future commemoration
Lynnfield Veterans’ Services Office Bruce Siegel was pleased to hear that the new development would be named in honor of Sergeant Tuttle.
“This choice is especially appropriate because the sergeant’s two brothers also served in the conflict,” he said.
They were Lieutenant Albert W. Tuttle of the Army Military Police, and Sergeant Gordon Tuttle of the Army Air Corps.
According to Land Use Assistant Susan Lambe, it will be some time before the street acceptance for Tuttle Lane is secured. All construction must be completed and approved by Town Engineer Charlie Richter before being voted on at Town Meeting.
“At that time, I expect that the Select Board will approve the installation of a Gold Star street sign and commemorative plaque on Tuttle Lane,” said Siegel. “Lynnfield’s veterans groups and the public will celebrate the dedication.”
Bob Tuttle from Minnesota, the sergeant’s only son, assured me that he and his family would definitely be “coming East” for that occasion.
Remembrance poem
T.A. Tuttle, Wesley’s father, wrote the following poem in honor of his late son that appeared in the Sept. 15, 1943 edition of the Village Press.
Charles Wesley Tuttle
Our Wes will not forgotten be.
His memory will always be green.
Honest and faithful, such was he,
True to his duty, as was seen.
Can we forget his thought to stand
With those who left their work and kin
When called by country to defend
All that was the best on earth to men?
Can we forget his happiness
When learning to soar on high?
He thought his comrades would surpass
Any who would aim to fly.
He wrote, “You sure will hear from me
My pilot and aides are the best;
We want to meet the enemy
And there our country’s hopes attest.”
What joy if we could have been there
To see him take the gunner’s seat,
Prepared for issue foul or fair
As they the enemy did meet.
We know that he paid the price
Beyond all other cost
When he did meet the foe and laid
His life a sacrifice at last.
We never can forget these men
Who for the right have nobly died;
For generations all will plan
To honor them with greatest pride.
