AUGUST-CHARLES

 

TWICE  A  POW  DURING  WWII  IN  DIFFERENT  THEATERS

Charles Valentine August has the unique distinction of being the only Navy man known to have twice been a POW during World War II in two different theaters of conflict.

On November 8, 1942, then Lieutenant Junior Grade August was assigned to VF-41 aboard the USS RANGER and piloted a Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter in support of Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa.  During the attack on the Cazes Airdrome he shot down two enemy planes but suffered engine damage and was forced to parachute from his plane.  Upon landing he was taken prisoner and held by the Vichy French forces in North Africa for a short period before being released and returning to flying duty.  On January 4, 1945, then Lieutenant Commander August was assigned to VF-44 aboard the USS LANGLEY and while in aerial combat in a F6F Hellcat against the Japanese was again forced to parachute from his damaged plane.  He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and held at Omori POW Camp in Japan until his release at the end of hostilities in August 1945.  While a POW he was subjected to regular severe physical abuse and in 1948 a guard who had regularly mistreated him and others was tried for war crimes and sentenced to a long prison term at hard labor.

Following the Korean War, August was assigned to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Europe.  He remained in the Navy until 1962 and died July 28, 1985, and is buried at Riversidee National Cemetery in California.

SILVER  STAR  AWARD - The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Junior Grade Charles Valentine August (NSN: 0-104075), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a Pilot of a plane of Fighting Squadron FORTY-ONE (VF-41), attached to the USS RANGER (CV-4), during the assault on and occupation of French Morocco from 8 November 1942 to 11 November 1942.  Lieutenant Junior Grade August was in a flight of eighteen planes that attacked the Cazes Airdrome, inflicting heavy damage to aircraft of the ground and to anti-aircraft batteries near the airport.  During this engagement he also shot down two hostile planes in the face of outnumbering opposition.  Due to an engine casualty, Lieutenant Junior Grade August was forced to parachute from his damaged plane, being taken prisoner shortly thereafter.  The courage skill and perseverance displayed by Lieutenant Junior Grade August during the action described reflected great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

 

DISTINGUISHED  FLYING  CROSS – The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Valentine August (NSN: 0-104075), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the leader of an eight plane flight of fighter planes of Fighting Squadron Forty-Four (VF-44), embarked in USS LANGLEY, while participating in aerial flight against Japanese forces of 15 December 1944, over the islands between Luzon and Formosa.  Flying a carrier-based fighter aircraft he led with coolness, great daring, and skill a coordinated attack of eight planes on a Japanese destroyer, with the result that the destroyer was probably sunk.  Intense anti-aircraft fire was experienced.  On the same flight he participated in the destruction of a Japanese float plane, leading a perilous attack at low level with great skill and daring.  His leadership, keen judgment, courage, and skill and performance of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)