World War II Honoree

Richard Lincoln Charles

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Rochester, New York

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

He joined the US Navy after hearing Pearl Harbor had been bombed and became an aviator. He undertook air-sea rescue work and anti-submarine patrols. He was promoted to lieutenant junior grade and flew missions to Guam, Saipan, Okinawa and Iwo Jima. He and his squadron saved 44 men when the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed.