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F2c Charles Henry Bibby
Charles Henry Bibby was born in Oak Creek, Colorado on Feb. 16, 1919, but by the next year his family moved to Jefferson County, Alabama. His father, Henry, was a salesman for a retail grocery and later a lime keeper at a coal mine and operator of a brick kiln. His mother, Genevieve Kennedy Bibby, was a homemaker.
The son graduated from Corner High School in Dora, about 25 miles northwest of Birmingham. By 1939 he was a cab driver, earning $706 for 40 weeks of work. His father worked the full year and earned $900. Their combined income — equal to $29,400 in 2020 — supported a household of seven.
Charles Henry enlisted in the Navy on Oct. 4, 1940, and was aboard the U.S.S. Arizona by that December. Mr. Bibby was a fireman second class on the battleship when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
A younger brother, William Harrison Bibby, served in the Army during World War II.
Sources: The Birmingham (Alabama) News; Census; Navy muster roll; grave marker. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
NOTE: If you are a family member related to this crew member of the U.S.S. Arizona, or have additional information, pictures or documents to share about his life or service to our county please contact us through our FAMILY MEMBER SUBMISSION FORM.