USS Charrette

George Charrette, born in Lowell, Mass., 6 June 1867, enlisted in the Navy 24 September 1884. As a gunner's mate third class, on 2 June 1898, he volunteered with seven others to sink Merrimac under heavy Spanish fire across the entrance to the harbor of Santiago, Cuba, thus bottling up the enemy fleet. Taken prisoner by the Spanish, Charrette was exchanged 6 July 1898. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism, commissioned lieutenant 3 August 1920, and retired from the Navy in 1925. He died 7 February 1938.

Charrette (DD-581) was launched 3 June 1942 by Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. G. Charrette; and commissioned 18 May 1943, Commander E. S. Karpe in command.

Charrette cleared New York 20 September 1943 to escort Monterey (CVL-26) to Pacific service. Arriving at Pearl Harbor 9 October, Charrette took part in training exercises until 10 November, when she put to sea with TF 50, for air raids on Japanese bases in the Marshalls. These strikes neutralized enemy air opposition to the landings at Makin and Tarawa which followed. On 26 November, Charrette joined the screen of the task group assigned to air-cover operations over Makin and Tarawa themselves, providing protection to the assault shipping and support for the Marines ashore. Twelve days later, the destroyer screened battleships in a pounding bombardment on Nauru Island, then rejoined the carriers sailing on to Efate. From this base Charrette sailed on 21 December to screen the carriers as they launched strikes against Kavieng, New Ireland, during the 3 days preceding the assault on Cape Gloucester 26 December. Continuing north, the group arrived at Funafuti 21 January 1944 to prepare for the operations against the Marshall Islands.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Charrette (DD-581)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.