PARSONS, CHARLES EARL, Seaman First Class (no. 3373137), USS Houston, US Navy, †01/03/1942
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Lee Parsons, Marble Hill, Mo.
KIA on board USS Houston in the Battle of Sunda Strait when torpedoed by Japanese destroyers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS HOUSTON (CA-30) - Battle of Sunda Strait
USS Houston and USS Perth reached Tanjong Priok on 28 February, where they attempted to resupply, but were met with fuel shortages and no available ammunition. The two cruisers were ordered to sail to Tjilatjap with Dutch destroyer Evertsen, but departed at 17:00 without Evertsen, which was delayed. The Allies believed that Sunda Strait was free of enemy vessels, with the last intelligence reports indicating that Japanese warships were no closer than 50 miles, but a large Japanese force had assembled at Bantam Bay. At 23:06, the two cruisers were off St. Nicholas Point when lookouts on Perth sighted an unidentified ship; when it was realized that she was a Japanese destroyer, Perth engaged. However, as this happened, multiple Japanese warships appeared and surrounded the two Allied ships.
The two cruisers evaded the nine torpedoes launched by the destroyer Fubuki. According to ABDA post-battle reports, the cruisers then reportedly sank one transport and forced three others to beach, but were blocked from passing through Sunda Strait by a destroyer squadron, and had to contend with the heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma in close proximity. At midnight, Perth attempted to force a way through the destroyers, but was hit by four torpedoes in the space of a few minutes, then subject to close-range gunfire until sinking at 00:25 on 1 March.
On board Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston was struck by a torpedo shortly after midnight, and began to lose headway. Houston's gunners had scored hits on three different destroyers and sunk a minesweeper, but she was struck by three more torpedoes in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30, and as the ship came to a stop, Japanese destroyers moved in, machine-gunning the decks and men in the water. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank. Of the 1,061 aboard, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man Marine Detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps. Of 368 Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
Source: Wikipedia∼Charles enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-31-37) as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) on 4 Jun 1940 in St. Louis, MO. He was sent to basic training at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, IL. After he completed basic training and a brief leave period, he reported for duty aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Houston (CA-30) on 13 Sep 1940. The Houston muster report for the month of September 1940 records AS Charles E. Parsons who reported aboard on 13 Sep 1940, and the next line records his brother, S2c Loys A Parsons who reported aboard on 12 July 1940. For the next two months, Charles and his brother Loys served together on the Houston until Loys was transferred on 28 Nov 1940. SA Parsons was promoted on 4 Oct 1940 to Seaman Second Class (S2/c).
In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line), Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and hostilities with Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the Philippines. However, Admiral Hart's naval forces previously dispersed and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground.
Houston arrived at Surabaya on 17 Dec. After several days inport Surabaya where she joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force, Houston departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec. She arrived there on 28 Dec 1941. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. On 01 Feb 1942, S2c Parsons was promoted to S1c.
Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat.
On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed into the early morning hours of 01 Mar, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway). Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Many of the survivors were captured by the Japanese (this was not known for over three years.) and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the final USS Houston (CA-30) muster report for 01 Mar 1942 that was filed several years later, S2 Charles E Parsons was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. He was presumed dead in Aug 1945. His remains were unrecoverable. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and was eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
In August 1945, several Houston survivors who had been captured by the Japanese in 1942, escaped from their captors and made their way to Allied forces. Word was soon sent home that some 300 survivors from the Houston sinking were still interned and would soon be released. Of course, this raised the hopes of so many families who had accepted the presumed fate of their loved ones who had been missing for over three years. Good news for the families of the survivors, but yet again more dashed hopes and heartbreak for many others.
[bio compiled by G47]
Special thanks to Gerry Lawton CDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.), for this excellent bio.
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Lee Parsons, Marble Hill, Mo.
KIA on board USS Houston in the Battle of Sunda Strait when torpedoed by Japanese destroyers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS HOUSTON (CA-30) - Battle of Sunda Strait
USS Houston and USS Perth reached Tanjong Priok on 28 February, where they attempted to resupply, but were met with fuel shortages and no available ammunition. The two cruisers were ordered to sail to Tjilatjap with Dutch destroyer Evertsen, but departed at 17:00 without Evertsen, which was delayed. The Allies believed that Sunda Strait was free of enemy vessels, with the last intelligence reports indicating that Japanese warships were no closer than 50 miles, but a large Japanese force had assembled at Bantam Bay. At 23:06, the two cruisers were off St. Nicholas Point when lookouts on Perth sighted an unidentified ship; when it was realized that she was a Japanese destroyer, Perth engaged. However, as this happened, multiple Japanese warships appeared and surrounded the two Allied ships.
The two cruisers evaded the nine torpedoes launched by the destroyer Fubuki. According to ABDA post-battle reports, the cruisers then reportedly sank one transport and forced three others to beach, but were blocked from passing through Sunda Strait by a destroyer squadron, and had to contend with the heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma in close proximity. At midnight, Perth attempted to force a way through the destroyers, but was hit by four torpedoes in the space of a few minutes, then subject to close-range gunfire until sinking at 00:25 on 1 March.
On board Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston was struck by a torpedo shortly after midnight, and began to lose headway. Houston's gunners had scored hits on three different destroyers and sunk a minesweeper, but she was struck by three more torpedoes in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30, and as the ship came to a stop, Japanese destroyers moved in, machine-gunning the decks and men in the water. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank. Of the 1,061 aboard, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man Marine Detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps. Of 368 Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
Source: Wikipedia∼Charles enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-31-37) as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) on 4 Jun 1940 in St. Louis, MO. He was sent to basic training at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, IL. After he completed basic training and a brief leave period, he reported for duty aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Houston (CA-30) on 13 Sep 1940. The Houston muster report for the month of September 1940 records AS Charles E. Parsons who reported aboard on 13 Sep 1940, and the next line records his brother, S2c Loys A Parsons who reported aboard on 12 July 1940. For the next two months, Charles and his brother Loys served together on the Houston until Loys was transferred on 28 Nov 1940. SA Parsons was promoted on 4 Oct 1940 to Seaman Second Class (S2/c).
In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line), Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and hostilities with Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the Philippines. However, Admiral Hart's naval forces previously dispersed and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground.
Houston arrived at Surabaya on 17 Dec. After several days inport Surabaya where she joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force, Houston departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec. She arrived there on 28 Dec 1941. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. On 01 Feb 1942, S2c Parsons was promoted to S1c.
Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat.
On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed into the early morning hours of 01 Mar, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway). Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Many of the survivors were captured by the Japanese (this was not known for over three years.) and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the final USS Houston (CA-30) muster report for 01 Mar 1942 that was filed several years later, S2 Charles E Parsons was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. He was presumed dead in Aug 1945. His remains were unrecoverable. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and was eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
In August 1945, several Houston survivors who had been captured by the Japanese in 1942, escaped from their captors and made their way to Allied forces. Word was soon sent home that some 300 survivors from the Houston sinking were still interned and would soon be released. Of course, this raised the hopes of so many families who had accepted the presumed fate of their loved ones who had been missing for over three years. Good news for the families of the survivors, but yet again more dashed hopes and heartbreak for many others.
[bio compiled by G47]
Special thanks to Gerry Lawton CDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.), for this excellent bio.
PARSONS, CHARLES EARL, Seaman First Class (no. 3373137), USS Houston, US Navy, †01/03/1942
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Lee Parsons, Marble Hill, Mo.
KIA on board USS Houston in the Battle of Sunda Strait when torpedoed by Japanese destroyers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS HOUSTON (CA-30) - Battle of Sunda Strait
USS Houston and USS Perth reached Tanjong Priok on 28 February, where they attempted to resupply, but were met with fuel shortages and no available ammunition. The two cruisers were ordered to sail to Tjilatjap with Dutch destroyer Evertsen, but departed at 17:00 without Evertsen, which was delayed. The Allies believed that Sunda Strait was free of enemy vessels, with the last intelligence reports indicating that Japanese warships were no closer than 50 miles, but a large Japanese force had assembled at Bantam Bay. At 23:06, the two cruisers were off St. Nicholas Point when lookouts on Perth sighted an unidentified ship; when it was realized that she was a Japanese destroyer, Perth engaged. However, as this happened, multiple Japanese warships appeared and surrounded the two Allied ships.
The two cruisers evaded the nine torpedoes launched by the destroyer Fubuki. According to ABDA post-battle reports, the cruisers then reportedly sank one transport and forced three others to beach, but were blocked from passing through Sunda Strait by a destroyer squadron, and had to contend with the heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma in close proximity. At midnight, Perth attempted to force a way through the destroyers, but was hit by four torpedoes in the space of a few minutes, then subject to close-range gunfire until sinking at 00:25 on 1 March.
On board Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston was struck by a torpedo shortly after midnight, and began to lose headway. Houston's gunners had scored hits on three different destroyers and sunk a minesweeper, but she was struck by three more torpedoes in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30, and as the ship came to a stop, Japanese destroyers moved in, machine-gunning the decks and men in the water. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank. Of the 1,061 aboard, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man Marine Detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps. Of 368 Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
Source: Wikipedia∼Charles enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-31-37) as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) on 4 Jun 1940 in St. Louis, MO. He was sent to basic training at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, IL. After he completed basic training and a brief leave period, he reported for duty aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Houston (CA-30) on 13 Sep 1940. The Houston muster report for the month of September 1940 records AS Charles E. Parsons who reported aboard on 13 Sep 1940, and the next line records his brother, S2c Loys A Parsons who reported aboard on 12 July 1940. For the next two months, Charles and his brother Loys served together on the Houston until Loys was transferred on 28 Nov 1940. SA Parsons was promoted on 4 Oct 1940 to Seaman Second Class (S2/c).
In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line), Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and hostilities with Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the Philippines. However, Admiral Hart's naval forces previously dispersed and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground.
Houston arrived at Surabaya on 17 Dec. After several days inport Surabaya where she joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force, Houston departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec. She arrived there on 28 Dec 1941. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. On 01 Feb 1942, S2c Parsons was promoted to S1c.
Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat.
On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed into the early morning hours of 01 Mar, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway). Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Many of the survivors were captured by the Japanese (this was not known for over three years.) and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the final USS Houston (CA-30) muster report for 01 Mar 1942 that was filed several years later, S2 Charles E Parsons was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. He was presumed dead in Aug 1945. His remains were unrecoverable. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and was eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
In August 1945, several Houston survivors who had been captured by the Japanese in 1942, escaped from their captors and made their way to Allied forces. Word was soon sent home that some 300 survivors from the Houston sinking were still interned and would soon be released. Of course, this raised the hopes of so many families who had accepted the presumed fate of their loved ones who had been missing for over three years. Good news for the families of the survivors, but yet again more dashed hopes and heartbreak for many others.
[bio compiled by G47]
Special thanks to Gerry Lawton CDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.), for this excellent bio.
Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Lee Parsons, Marble Hill, Mo.
KIA on board USS Houston in the Battle of Sunda Strait when torpedoed by Japanese destroyers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USS HOUSTON (CA-30) - Battle of Sunda Strait
USS Houston and USS Perth reached Tanjong Priok on 28 February, where they attempted to resupply, but were met with fuel shortages and no available ammunition. The two cruisers were ordered to sail to Tjilatjap with Dutch destroyer Evertsen, but departed at 17:00 without Evertsen, which was delayed. The Allies believed that Sunda Strait was free of enemy vessels, with the last intelligence reports indicating that Japanese warships were no closer than 50 miles, but a large Japanese force had assembled at Bantam Bay. At 23:06, the two cruisers were off St. Nicholas Point when lookouts on Perth sighted an unidentified ship; when it was realized that she was a Japanese destroyer, Perth engaged. However, as this happened, multiple Japanese warships appeared and surrounded the two Allied ships.
The two cruisers evaded the nine torpedoes launched by the destroyer Fubuki. According to ABDA post-battle reports, the cruisers then reportedly sank one transport and forced three others to beach, but were blocked from passing through Sunda Strait by a destroyer squadron, and had to contend with the heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma in close proximity. At midnight, Perth attempted to force a way through the destroyers, but was hit by four torpedoes in the space of a few minutes, then subject to close-range gunfire until sinking at 00:25 on 1 March.
On board Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston was struck by a torpedo shortly after midnight, and began to lose headway. Houston's gunners had scored hits on three different destroyers and sunk a minesweeper, but she was struck by three more torpedoes in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30, and as the ship came to a stop, Japanese destroyers moved in, machine-gunning the decks and men in the water. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank. Of the 1,061 aboard, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man Marine Detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps. Of 368 Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
Source: Wikipedia∼Charles enlisted in the US Navy (NSN:337-31-37) as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) on 4 Jun 1940 in St. Louis, MO. He was sent to basic training at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, IL. After he completed basic training and a brief leave period, he reported for duty aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Houston (CA-30) on 13 Sep 1940. The Houston muster report for the month of September 1940 records AS Charles E. Parsons who reported aboard on 13 Sep 1940, and the next line records his brother, S2c Loys A Parsons who reported aboard on 12 July 1940. For the next two months, Charles and his brother Loys served together on the Houston until Loys was transferred on 28 Nov 1940. SA Parsons was promoted on 4 Oct 1940 to Seaman Second Class (S2/c).
In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line), Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and hostilities with Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the Philippines. However, Admiral Hart's naval forces previously dispersed and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground.
Houston arrived at Surabaya on 17 Dec. After several days inport Surabaya where she joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force, Houston departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec. She arrived there on 28 Dec 1941. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. On 01 Feb 1942, S2c Parsons was promoted to S1c.
Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat.
On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed into the early morning hours of 01 Mar, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway). Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Many of the survivors were captured by the Japanese (this was not known for over three years.) and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the final USS Houston (CA-30) muster report for 01 Mar 1942 that was filed several years later, S2 Charles E Parsons was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. He was presumed dead in Aug 1945. His remains were unrecoverable. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and was eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
In August 1945, several Houston survivors who had been captured by the Japanese in 1942, escaped from their captors and made their way to Allied forces. Word was soon sent home that some 300 survivors from the Houston sinking were still interned and would soon be released. Of course, this raised the hopes of so many families who had accepted the presumed fate of their loved ones who had been missing for over three years. Good news for the families of the survivors, but yet again more dashed hopes and heartbreak for many others.
[bio compiled by G47]
Special thanks to Gerry Lawton CDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.), for this excellent bio.
Inscription
PARSONS CHARLES E - SEAMAN 1C - USN - MISSOURI
Family Members
Siblings
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Helen Taft Parsons Blissette
1908–1997
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Henry Theodore "Ted" Parsons
1910–1931
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John Carl Parsons
1912–1960
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Elsie Minta Opal Parsons Seabaugh
1914–2004
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June Heifetz Parsons Gallagher
1920–2017
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S2 Loys Aloysius "Blackie" Parsons
1921–1942
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Virgil Lee Parsons Jr
1924–2002
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Mary Louise Parsons
1927–1931
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Sgt Robert Alexander "Bob" Parsons
1930–1984
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