Charles C Hartigan

Charles was born on the 13th of September 1882, in Norwich, New York, and received an appointment to the US Naval Academy after high school. He graduated with the class of 1906 and was commissioned to Ensign after the required two years of sea duty. By the time Charles deployed to Mexico, he was a 32-year-old Lieutenant it was his actions that would later earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. During the second day's fighting the service performed by him was eminent and conspicuous. He was conspicuous for the skillful handling of his company under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, for which conduct he was commended by his battalion commander.

Charles received the Medal of Honor on the 4th of December 1915 and remained in the Navy through World War 1 and he was one of the last to command the USS Oklahoma from 1937 to 1939, which was sunk in the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. He retired from the Navy in 1941 after 35 years of service and at the rank of Rear Admiral. Charles was married to Margaret and the couple had one son. Charles Conway Hartigan died on the 15th of February 1944 at the age of 61, and he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery: Section 3, Grave 2194-B.