Charles Lee Booth

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Booth served aboard the USS LST-473.

Before joining the Navy, Charles had served with the Coast Guard.  When he reenlisted for WW2, he was above age limit and he was assigned to the Navy in Norfolk, Virginia as a First Class Seaman.  He was promoted in December 1942 and transferred to L.S.T. Training School in San Diego, California.

LST-473 participated in the Lae Occupation, Morbe Bay, New Guinea where Booth was mortally wounded.  Two bombs struck the ship and one exploded near Booth’s battle station and shrapnel nearly tore off his right arm.  Booth was transferred to a destroyer where he died and he was buried in New Guinea.  In 1949, his remains were reinterred to Aydelotte Cemetery, Chincoteague, Virginia.