World War II Honoree

Charles R. Peters

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Santa Rosa, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Fire Controlman First Class. Inducted into the United States Navy October 4, 1939 at San Francisco, California, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp and gunnery training, he was transferred to the USS Houston II Heavy Cruiser, CA-30 for duty as a Fire Controlman, responsible in directing his Cruiser’s cannons line of fire. The Cruiser and her shipmates participated in the Naval Battle of Sunda Strait, Dutch East Indies Campaign. On the night of February 28 and March 1, 1942 the Houston and an Australian Cruiser engaged a major Imperial Japanese Naval Force. Reported missing in action or lost at sea, when his Cruiser was sunk by enemy cannon fire and torpedoes, succeeding the battle. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. Later his missing in action status ultimately amended to read killed in action December 15, 1945. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.