Name: Charles Calvin MOULTON
Rank / Rating: S2-Seaman Second Class
Service #: 951 48 64
DOB: Nov 16, 1925
From: Marysville, Michigan
Parents: Charles Leslie and Nettie Moulton
Went Aboard: April 25, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 19 years, 8 months, 14 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock (Admin)
Date Posted:

Seaman Second Class Moulton was born November 16, 1925, in Marysville, Michigan. He enlisted in the USN in 1943 and completed boot camp training at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois with further training at Farragut, Idaho.

After being assigned to USS Indianapolis, he served as Gunner or Direction Finder in the Battles of Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was lost at sea when the ship was sunk July 30, 1945. He was only 20 years old. One of many memorable experiences: When Indianapolis was hit by a kamikaze plane in March 1945, he was one of a small crew to go ashore on an island to obtain sand for temporary repairs to the ship. Believing the island to be unoccupied by the Japanese, the contingent was without armed support. To their surprise, the Japanese were there and ready to attack. Luckily, the US Marines were also on the island, saving them from almost certain death and enabling them to complete their mission. Posthumous awarded: The Purple Heart and World War II Victory Medal. Family members: Parents, Charles Leslie and Nettie Moulton; sister Sally (Moulton) Bohs; brother, John Robert Moulton. MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PLAQUE See photographs (posted below) to view a copy of a memorial plaque that was dedicated circa 1946 to honor seventy-two (72) State of Michigan men who served on USS Indianapolis CA-35 and who were Lost At Sea. Charles Calvin MOULTON's name is listed on the plaque! Per the caption on one of the photos, the plaque was originally planned in 1946 for display at a proposed Detroit Civic Center. The plaque was initially displayed at the Detroit Naval Post VFW #233. However, the plaque had vanished for decades, fueling rumors of theft, being melted for scrap, or hidden away in a private basement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jeff Ortiz (nephew of LAS Y3 Orlando Ortiz) and Joni Deaver (cousin of LAS sailor S2c Charles Roof Jr.), this priceless piece of history has been re-discovered in the Detroit Historical Society storage basement in Michigan. One of the photos shows Jeff Ortiz and Ralph McNabb (nephew of LAS F2 Thomas McNabb, Jr) standing behind the very dusty plaque as it was found.