Charles R. McAdoo

Charles R. McAdoo

PHM1

I was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania on December 9, 1924 to Charles R., Sr. and Ethel (Jennings) McAdoo. I attended grade school in Indiana, PA, but went to and graduated from Georges Township High School in York Run, PA.

I graduated in June 1942, and shortly after went to Pittsburgh, PA to enlist in the Navy. Upon arriving, I was informed that they were crowded and for me to go home and await a call. I waited until December of 1942, at which time I was told to report to Pittsburgh, PA to be inducted. I was sworn in on December 14, 1942, and was immediately sent to New Port Rhode Island for Boot Camp. Upon completion of Boot Camp, I was sent to California and, shortly there after, was assigned to the U.S.S. Nassau. Aboard the Nassau I was in the "H" Division. I started as a seaman striker. During my tour aboard I went to PhM3c, PhM2c, PhMIc, then appointed ACPHM due to the Chief being transferred.

While aboard the Nassau, three things stick out in my mind. The first was while tied up at Fox 8, Pearl Harbor, I got a call to go the Flight Deck. Upon arriving I was surprised to see my Father, who was a CMM in the See Bees. My Father also served in the U.S. Army during W.W.I, but joined the Navy after I enlisted. The second memory was while at the Philippines, we took aboard several Japanese prisoners that were wounded. We transported them to Pearl. My third, and most vivid memory, was while tied up at Pearl, someone in the airdale crew got into a plane on the Hanger Deck and discharged the guns, causing severe injuries to several crewmen and damage to the ship.

I am not sure as to the date I boarded the Nassau, but it was sometime in early 1943. I was transferred to the Alameda Naval Air Station in March 1945.

I got married on April 14, 1945 to Phyllis (Morrow) McAdoo. We had three children: Charles, III; Larry Daniel; and Marcia Ann. I was discharged from the Navy on September 8, 1945 at Camp Shoemaker, California, and returned home to Penn. Upon returning home, I joined the Indiana Borough Police Department as a Patrolman. I was later promoted to Sergeant, then Detective, and finally Chief of Police which I held until I retired in April 1991. I retired due to my wife's illness, which claimed her life on the 24th of May, 1994.

I now have two of my children living in Florida, and one in Pennsylvania. I also have six grandchildren, who I visit often. In closing, I will say that my stay aboard the Nassau was very rewarding, and I would do it over again as it was a great ship with good shipmates. I believe that I outlasted five Captains while aboard. I remember S.M. Michaels, Artie Doyle, Capt. Ellis, Turner and Hawkins.