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Charles E. Brannon, who was born 2 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) 3 February 1942, and was killed in action 4 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 635) (1944-1946, 1950-1968) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
| Bill Gonyo |
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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).
(US Navy Photo #80-G-444372 from the National Archives) |
Bill Gonyo |
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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) |
Bill Gonyo |
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undated postwar photo |
Richard H. Willard RD3 |
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undated postwar image, in company with Grady (DE 445) |
Robert Hurst |
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undated post-war image |
Tim Rizzuto
Ship's Superintendant
USS Slater Memorial |
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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.) |
