b. 06/06/1867 Lowell, Massachusetts. d. 07/02/1938 Lowell, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 02/06/1898 Santiago da Cuba.
George Charette MOH
Charrette was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on June 6, 1867. He enlisted in the United States Navy September 24, 1884. As a Gunner’s Mate third class, on June 2, 1898, he volunteered with seven others to sink USS Merrimac under heavy Spanish fire across the entrance to the harbor of Santiago, Cuba, thus bottling up the enemy fleet. Taken prisoner by the Spanish, Charrette was exchanged July 6, 1898. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism, although his name was misspelled as “George Charette” on the citation. Charrette was commissioned lieutenant on August 3, 1920, and retired from the Navy in 1925. His other military awards include the Sampson Medal, the Spanish Campaign Medal, and the World War I Victory Medal. He died at the age of 70.
MOH CITATION:
In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, Charette displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 7, GRAVE 10222
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
