CM1c Charles Ermin Kieselbach,
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CM1c Charles Ermin Kieselbach
Charles Ermin Kieselbach Jr. was born Jan. 14, 1916 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Charles Ernest Kieselbach, a bricklayer, and Emma Schwartz Kieselbach, a homemaker.
He graduated in 1934 from Jefferson City High and enlisted in the Navy on Valentine’s Day 1935.
The local Navy recruiter sent a letter to the principal asking for his opinion of Charles. It said:
“The Navy attempts to enroll only men who will make successful Naval Careers so that your opinion of the applicant’s character, intelligence, trustworthiness, extra curricular activities, etc., will be very helpful in deciding on his selection.
“Mischievousness or lack of studiousness does not necessarily point to an unsuccessful Naval Career, provided the applicant is intelligent, but of course viciousness or a police record indicating criminal intent would bar acceptance.”
Mr. Kieselbach’s personnel file does not include the principal’s response, but obviously it was positive.
He was a carpenter’s mate and petty officer first class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
He was survived by his wife, another Missouri native, June Summers, whom he married in Long Beach, California in November 1939.
Two brothers, Robert and Harold, also served in World War II, and their parents campaigned for the sale of war bonds. Their mother said she planted a garden, patched old clothes, and volunteered at the Red Cross. But the purchase of bonds was most important, she said.
“If we want to be able to face our boys when they come back, we’ll have to be all-out for victory now,” she told a reporter. “They’re offering their lives.”