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Charles William Carbeau, Jr.

"Bill"
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number O-13858
Born

August 5, 1920
in Ellwood City, PA

Parents

Charles William Carbeau, Sr.
Florence (Wise) Carbeau

School

Lincoln High School (1938)
University of Pennsylvania (1942)

Pre-War Employment

Recent college graduate

Entered Service

March 13, 1942 (enlisted)
September 26, 1942 (commissioned)

Joined First Battalion

December 12, 1942
from 12th Reserve Officers Class, Quantico

Left First Battalion

July 6, 1944
Killed in action at Saipan

Left Service

July 6, 1944
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

79 Pittsburgh Circle, Ellwood City, PA – home of parents, Charles & Florence Carbeau

Service & Campaigns
Before joining battalion

Enlisted at Philadelphia, PA; assigned to Platoon Leader’s Unit, Fourth Reserve District. To active duty on 21 July 1942 for instruction with Company H, Candidates’ Class, Quantico, VA. Commissioned second lieutenant on 26 September 1942; to 12th Reserve Officers Class for additional instruction.

Assigned to Dog Company, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) at New River, NC, on 12 December 1942, as reconnaissance officer.

Transferred to HQ Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines on 1 July 1943 for duty as supply officer and quartermaster.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines
Rank: First Lieutenant
MOS: 1930 (Liaison)

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: HQ/1/24th Marines – Battalion Transport Quartermaster
Rank: First Lieutenant
MOS: 5651 (unknown code)
Important Events:
June 15 to June 30 – service at beach connected with TQM duties
July 1, 1944 – reported for front-line duty. Assigned to Captain Milton Cokin and B/1/24th Marines as platoon leader
July 6, 1944 – killed in action (gunshot wound, abdomen) while on observation mission with his platoon. Awarded Silver Star Medal for actions on this date:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Charles W. Carbeau, Jr. (MCSN: 0-13858), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to a Rifle Company of the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, 6 July 1944. Struck down by hostile sniper fire while carrying out a vital observation mission with his platoon forward of front lines, First Lieutenant Carbeau steadfastly disregarded his own critical condition and, quickly directing his men to cover out of range of the enemy guns, ensured the safety of his platoon before succumbing to his wounds. By his splendid leadership and great personal courage in the face of grave peril, First Lieutenant Carbeau was an inspiration to all his comrades, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Buried Plot 4, Row 6, Grave 873, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery

Campaign Narrative

Individual Decorations

Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart

Campaign
Saipan (July 6, 1944)
Saipan (July 6, 1944)

Lt. Bill Carbeau, our transport quartermaster, finally joined the battalion after more than two weeks spent in unloading all our cargo from the transport. It was a tribute to Bill’s versatility that he was immediately assigned to “B” Company as a rifle platoon leader. In the past twelve months, his work had not involved the handling of troops in the field, but his capabilities were highly regarded, and Captain Cokin was glad to welcome him into the company.
Gallery

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