Kleinsmith, Charles

Date of birth:: September 28th, 1904 (Zionsville/Pennsylvania, United States)
Date of death:: June 4th, 1942 (Battle for Midway)
Buried on:: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Service number:: 02428775
Nationality:: American

Biography

Promotions:
October 26th, 1922: Apprentice Seaman;
?: Fireman 2nd Class;
?: Chief Watertender.

Career:
October 26th, 1922: Recruit Training Center (RTC), RTC Great Lakes, U.S. Navy;
1922: Service Schools Command (SSC), SSC Great Lakes, U.S.navy;
1923 - 1925: U.S.S. Wyoming (BB-32);
1925 - 1926: U.S.S. Maryland (BB-46);
October 5th, 1926: Honorable Discharge;
December 20th, 1928: U.S. Navy;
1929 - 1931: U.S.S. Milwaukee (CL-5);
1931 - 1934: U.S.S. Cincinnati (CL-6);
1934 - 1937: U.S.S. Portland (CA-33);
1937 - 1939: U.S.S. Honolulu (CL-48);
December 27th, 1939: U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-3);
October 31st, 1940: U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5).

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Watertender 1st Class
Unit:: Boiler Crew, No. 1 Fireroom, U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: February 1943

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in while serving as a member of the Boiler Crew of No. 1 Fireroom on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. During an intense bombing attack the explosion of an enemy bomb in the uptakes of the forward group of boilers extinguished the fires in all boilers except No 1, and filled all boiler rooms with heavy smoke and gasses. In spite of the heat, stifling fumes and the imminence of explosion, Water Tender First Class Kleinsmith and a comrade, with complete disregard for their own personal safety, assisted in keeping the boiler under steam to keep the ship's auxiliary power in operation. Their capable performance of this task helped to make it possible for the YORKTOWN to attain the speed necessary for launching fighting planes in time to oppose a Japanese aerial torpedo attack. The conduct of Watertender First Class Kleinsmith throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Awarded posthumously.
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311 (February 1943).