MM2C Charles Finley "Chuck" Carpenter (WWII)

Remembering MM2C Charles Finley "Chuck" Carpenter (Fairview)

January 9, 1920 - August 10, 1943

-----

MM2C Charles Finley "Chuck" Carpenter (Service Number 2582756) was born January 9, 1920 in Jacksonburg, WV (Wetzel County), the son of Finley A. Carpenter and Clara M. (Morris) Carpenter. At the time of Charles' birth, Finley was working as a public school janitor in Wetzel County (1920 Census).

By 1930, their family had moved to Fairview, WV, and Finley was working as a clerk at a hardware store (1930 Census). In 1935, Finley was appointed the Postmaster of Fairview, and remained so until 1943, after which Charles' family moved to 406 9th Street in Fairmont. Finley remained at their 9th Street home until his death. 

Charles graduated from Fairview High School in 1938. His senior yearbook states that he was a member of the Varsity Club, Science Club, Library Club, played basketball, was the secretary of the Future Farmers of America, and participated in the play "Second Childhood." His yearbook quote reads "There is no foo, like an old foo."

Military Service

According to the U.S.S. Quincy Muster Call for the quarter ending June 30, 1940, Charles enlisted in Baltimore, MD on March 13, 1940 at age 20. After Charles enlisted, he lived in Norfolk, VA working as a "Seaman" for the U.S. Navy (1940 Census). 

Charles boarded the USS Quincy on June 30, 1940, his first and last ship to be stationed upon. On August 9, 1942, Charles was aboard the USS Quincy as it engaged in the Battle of Savo Island. The USS Quincy was hit at least twice by torpedoes, and received 36 known hits from other enemy artillery of varying sizes (War Damage Report). Due to the damage, the Quincy sank quickly.

Unfortunately, MM2C Charles Finley Carpenter was one of the 370 lost crew members of the USS Quincy. His body was never recovered. The USS Quincy earned one battle star during WWII.

Note: Though the USS Quincy sank on August 9, 1942, the US Government waits a year and a day before declaring a servicemember deceased. Charles was declared dead on August 10, 1943.

Legacy and Survivors

MM2C Charles Finley Carpenter is honored on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, as well as at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his service.

Charles was survived by his parents and six siblings- two brothers, and four sisters. Charles' younger brother, Morris Glenn Carpenter, also served in the Navy during WWII.

Sources and More Information

  • American Battle Monuments Commission Profile: Charles F. Carpenter
  • Family Search Profile: Charles Finley Carpenter
  • Findagrave Profiles: MM2 Charles F. Carpenter
  • Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF): Charles Finley Carpenter. Accessed with help from the National Archives in St. Louis.
  • U.S. Census (Accessed through Ancestry): 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950
  • U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945: Charles Finley Carpenter (Accessed through Ancestry)
  • US, World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 (Accessed through Ancestry)
  • West Virginia Veterans Database (West Virginia Memory Project):
  • WWII Draft Card: Charles Finley Carpenter (Accessed through Ancestry)

Navy Muster Rolls Available Through Ancestry as of Publication:

  • June 1940: A.S. Carpenter was received on board the USS Quincy on June 30, 1940, from the U.S.S. Wichita.
  • July 1940: A.S. Carpenter, still on the USS Quincy, was promoted to F3C Carpenter (Fireman 3rd Class) on July 13, 1940 
    • Note: that month, they were setting sail from Rio de Janiero, Brazil
  • September 1940: Aboard the USS Quincy
  • November 1940: F3C Carpenter, still on the USS Quincy, was promoted to F2C Carpenter (Fireman 2nd Class) on November 16, 1940
  • December 1940: Aboard the USS Quincy
  • March 1941: Aboard the USS Quincy
  • May 1941: F2C Carpenter, still on the USS Quincy, was promoted to F1C Carpenter (Fireman 1st Class) on May 1, 1941
  • June 1941: Aboard the USS Quincy
  • September 1941: Aboard the USS Quincy
  • December 1941:  F1C Carpenter, still on the USS Quincy, was promoted to MM2C Carpenter (Machinist's Mate 2nd Class) on December 1, 1941
    • Note: that month, they were setting sail from Cape Town, South Africa
  • March 1942: Aboard the USS Quincy
  • June 1942: Aboard the USS Quincy
  • September 1942: Aboard the USS Quincy


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