TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM CHARETTE
Five enlisted sailors, all Hospital Corpsmen, earned the Medal of Honor during the Korean War. Only one, William Charette, survived to receive his award . . . Orphaned at the age of four, William R. Charette, a native of Ludington, Michigan, was destined for a life of service and sacrifice. Raised by an uncle, who loved the boy like his own, Charette was only ten years old when his relative left to fight in WWII. With his uncle gone for three years, the young William and his sister lived and worked on a dairy farm. Charette would never forget the impact the war had on him, his family, and so many others. On January 11, 1951, with the Korean War raging and Charette wanting to do his part, the 19-year-old high school graduate enlisted in the Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman. He was soon on the front lines of the war. On the night of March 26-27, 1953, just two days before his 21st birthday, Charette went above and beyond the call of duty. With his unit, Company ...