Charles S. Hanlin joined the U. S. Army in 1944 when he was twenty-three years old. He was a Sergeant in Company G, 319th Infantry Regiment. Charles' military occupation specialty was machine gun NCO 604. He served in the Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe. Charles was awarded three Bronze Stars, a Victory Medal, and a Purple Heart.
On January 13, 1946, Charles S. Hanlin was honorably discharged from the United States Army.
Charles married Tommie Roberta Thornton on June 20, 1941, and had one child. Their son, Larry David Hanlin, went on to serve in the U. S. Navy.