Charles Henry Willey (1889 - 1977)

Born 31 Mar 1889 in East Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA

Husband of Grace Estelle (Noyes) Willey — married 16 May 1914 (to 2 Jul 1931) in Concord, Merrimack, New Hampshire, United States

Died 11 Sep 1977 at age 88 in Concord, Merrimack, New Hampshire, United States

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Biography

Charles was born in 1889 in East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Stephen L and Charlotte E (Horton) Willey.

He married Grace Estelle Noyes Willey on May 16, 1914 in East Concord, New Hampshire. (1891–1965)

They had three children;

Doris (Women's Army Corps in World War II.)

Richard (served with the Army in WWII, (Battle of the Bulge ) and Walter Willey.

Charles and Grace divorced on July 2, 1931 in New Hampshire.

Charles was a Navy Machinist onboard the USS Memphis when the ship was hit by a tsunami, off the coast of Santo Domingo on August 29, 1916.

Charles was awarded the Peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery, and going way beyond what is expected by staying back to help others of the ship. Charles saved over 100 of his comrades that day by carrying them over his shoulder to safety.

"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while serving on board the USS Memphis, at a time when that vessel was suffering total destruction from a hurricane while anchored off Santo Domingo City, 29 August 1916. Machinist Willey took his station in the engineer's department and remained at his post of duty amidst scalding steam and the rush of thousands of tons of water into his department as long as the engines would turn, leaving only when ordered to leave. When the boilers exploded, he assisted in getting the men out of the fireroom and carrying thim into the engineroom, where there was air instead of steam to breathe. Machinist Willey's conduct on this occasion was above and beyond the call of duty." -Don Morfe

Charles Henry Willey died on September 11, 1977 in Concord, New Hampshire.

Burial

Maple Grove Cemetery, Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA.

Sources

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Willey

http://navylog.navymemorial.org/willey-charles-0

https://www.revolvy.com/page/Charles-H.-Willey

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7144616/charles-h-willey

http://www.legiontown.org/legacy/1099/colorado-members-family-legacy-spans-1900s-today

United States Social Security Death Index

New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1637-1947