The future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer William Charette (DDG-130) will honor a hospital corpsman awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War.
Master Chief William Charette joined the Navy in 1951 and served in Korea as a hospital corpsman attached to Company F, Third Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Division.
Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced the name of the future Arleigh Burke DDG on Monday. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works will build William Charette, which will use the Flight III destroyer design with an advanced AN/SPY-6(v) Air and Missile Defense Radar.
“The actions of Hospital Corpsman William Charette will neither be forgotten or diminished,” Spencer said in a statement. “Charette put himself at extreme risk during intense combat to render aid to Marines in need. His efforts saved lives, and I am honored that his legacy will live on in the future USS William Charette (DDG-130).”
Charette received his Medal of Honor for actions he took on March 27, 1953, when Chinese and North Korean forces attacked and overran two of three Marine hill outposts. While providing aid to a wounded Marine, an enemy grenade landed near Charette. He shielded the wounded Marine from the blast by placing his body on top of the man he was treating. Charette lost consciousness after the explosion, and then when he regained consciousness he continued providing aid to Marines, including using parts of his torn uniform to dress battle wounds, according to the Navy.
Five enlisted sailors received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean War. All were hospital corpsmen attached to Marine Corps units. Charette was the only living enlisted sailor awarded the Medal of Honor. He died on March 18, 2012, from complications from heart surgery, according to the Navy.
