Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats
Charles D. Richardson
Merchant Marine. American
| Born | 1915 |
|
Roster information listed for Charles D. Richardson
| Ship | Type | Rank / role | Attacked on | Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esso Bolivar | Motor tanker | Able Seaman | 8 Mar 1942 | U-126 (1) |
| H.H. Rogers | Steam tanker | Able Seaman | 21 Feb 1943 | U-664 (1) |
Personal information
Award Citation for Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal:
For heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
On duty with the Navy gun crew while his ship was under heavy enemy submarine shell fire, he undertook the rescue of two severely wounded Navy members of the crew when the abandon ship order was given. Although himself wounded in the back by a shell fragment, he got both men into the water, placed one on his back and had the other grasp him around the neck. In this manner he was swimming toward a lifeboat when sharks attacked and he was obliged to defend himself and his companions by slashing out with a knife. A shark pulled the wounded man off his back and this man was lost, but he succeeded in getting the second wounded man and himself into the lifeboat. He suffered hand lacerations while fighting off the sharks.
His extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety in his efforts to rescue his shipmates will be an enduring inspiration to seamen of the United States Merchant Marine everywhere.
On duty with the Navy gun crew while his ship was under heavy enemy submarine shell fire, he undertook the rescue of two severely wounded Navy members of the crew when the abandon ship order was given. Although himself wounded in the back by a shell fragment, he got both men into the water, placed one on his back and had the other grasp him around the neck. In this manner he was swimming toward a lifeboat when sharks attacked and he was obliged to defend himself and his companions by slashing out with a knife. A shark pulled the wounded man off his back and this man was lost, but he succeeded in getting the second wounded man and himself into the lifeboat. He suffered hand lacerations while fighting off the sharks.
His extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety in his efforts to rescue his shipmates will be an enduring inspiration to seamen of the United States Merchant Marine everywhere.
Sources
- “Ships of the Esso Fleet in World War II”
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