Click On Image
For Full Size Image |
Size |
Image Description |
Contributed
By And/Or Copyright |
 |
32k |
Charles E. Brannon, who was born 02 August 1919 in Montgomery, Ala., enlisted in the Naval Reserve 14 April 1941 for aviation training.
Ensign Brannon reported for duty in Torpedo Squadron 8 in carrier Hornet (CV 8) 03 February 1942, and was killed in action 04 June 1942 during the Battle
of Midway. He was awarded a Navy Cross and Purple Heart posthumously for his extraordinary heroism in pressing home an attack against a Japanese carrier.
Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Charles E. Brannon (0-105955), Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary
heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from Naval Air Station Midway
during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 and 5 June 1942. In the first attack against an enemy carrier of the Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign
Brannon pressed home his attack in the face of withering fire from enemy Japanese fighters and anti-aircraft forces. Because of events attendant upon the Battle of Midway,
there can be no doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 310 (January 1943)
USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446) (1944-1946, 1950-1968) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
| Bill Gonyo
Downey, Cal. |
 |
72k |
undated: Left to Right: R.P. Mathews, SR, R.L. Hilt, SA, George S. Smith, SA, and Wayne G. Pearson, SA, firing the 20mm gun aboard
the USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446).
(U.S. Navy Photo #80-G-444372 from the National Archives) |
 |
72k |
undated: aboard Charles E. Brannon - B.F. Morris, QMSN, on the signal bridge, passing a message to another ship.
(U.S. Navy Photo #80-G-444364 from the National Archives) |
 |
105k |
undated postwar photo |
Richard H. Willard
RD3 |
 |
29k |
Undated postwar image, showing Charles E. Brannon, in company with Grady (DE 445). |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
 |
178k |
undated postwar image |
 |
150k |
undated post-war image |
Tim Rizzuto
Ship's Superintendent
DE Historical Museum
USS Slater at Albany, N.Y. |
 |
313k |
03 September 1949: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446) moored port side to while on a port visit to Vancouver.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #CVA 447-3935 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
Navsource |
 |
143k |
circa 1950: A portside view of the United States Navy destroyer escort USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446) underway, location unknown. Standard layout is
retained, except for a reduction to two single 20 mm guns immediately aft of funnel. The K guns and depth charge rails are clearly visible as is the aft 40 mm mount.
(U.S. Navy Official Photo; scanned from American Destroyer Escorts of World War 2, by Peter Elliott) |
Bob Hurst
Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
England, United Kingdom |
 |
273k |
21 October 1950: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Charles E. Brannon tied up at a warehouse.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #CVA 447-3935.1 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
Navsource |
 |
348k |
24 February 1952: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446) tied up at a warehouse.
USS Rombach(DE 364) is tied up aft of her.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #CVA 447-3935.2 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
 |
287k |
18 August 1953: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Charles E. Brannon moored starboard side to the end of the pier while on a port visit to Vancouver.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #CVA 447-3934 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
 |
445k |
20 June 1954: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Charles E. Brannon moored starboard side to while on a port visit to Vancouver.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #CVA 447-3934.1 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
 |
181k |
February 1962: Pearl Harbor HI - This was taken by CortRon 7 when Brannon was deploying to Viet Nam. |
Dan O'Reilly
SMCM (SW), USN (ret.) |
 |
281k |
15 September 1962: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446) stands off waiting to moor while on a port visit to Vancouver.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #CVA 447-3934.2 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
Navsource |
 |
890k |
22 August 1965: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446) arriving for a port visit to this Canadian city.
(Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #CVA 447-3934.3 from the City of Vancouver Archives) |
 |
111k |
June 1967: Seattle, Wash. - USS Charles E. Brannon (DE 446) moored at Lake Union Drydock Co., 1515 Fairview Avenue E, in Seattle, Washington. The ship,
decommissioned in June, 1960, is serving as a Reserve Training ship and is in an 'In Service' status at this time.
(Photo #spl_jl_bel_035-11 from the Jack Large Collection, Seattle Public Library) |
Mike Green
Port Angeles, Wash. |
