Charles is a native of Dallas Texas, and still resides there to this day. He was in high school at Adamson High in Dallas Texas when he heard the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 in 1944, starting boot camp in San Diego.
This sailor shipped out on the U.S.S.Wake Island CVE-65.which was an escort (or Jeep) carrier from San Francisco to Hawaii in late 1944. The Wake Island then sailed for the Philippine Islands passing through the Sergio Straight just after New Year’s Day, 1945 joining the massive fleet for the forthcoming invasion of Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Charles had the very hazardous duty of being an aircraft handler on the deck of the Wake Island. With planes moving around the deck with rockets and bombs attached, and props spinning, this was one of the most dangerous jobs that a sailor on an aircraft carrier could do.
The Wake Island participated in the Philippine campaign, then was stationed off Iwo Jima and sent naval aircraft to attack the island in support of the Marines for 24 consecutive days. After being relieved and refitted, Charles and the rest of the crew of the Wake Island arrived off Okinawa arriving in the operating area in late March, 1945. The ship was attacked at one point by Japanese kamikaze aircraft with one narrowly missing the ship, but causing extensive damage to the hull.
The Wake Island continued to serve in the Pacific until the end of the war. After the war, Charles was part of the tests off San Diego where the navy tested the FR Fireball, the first jet to land on a U.S. carrier.
Charles eventually got out of the service and went to work for Braniff Airlines. He went to school, obtained a Masters degree, and retired as a principal for D.I.S.D. after 25 years. Charles and his wife have been members of White Rock United Methodist Church for over 50 years.
Charles told me that in visiting his WWII Memorial, all the thoughts and memories of the men he served with, and didn’t come back will come flooding back.
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