World War II Soldiers from Pearl River County

During WW II a large number of young men from Pearl River County, Mississippi enlisted in the military.  Many of them served in Europe and Africa and others served with the Army, Marines, and Navy in the Pacific Theater.  One of the sailors serving on the USS California during the attack on Pearl Harbor was Seaman1c Charles H. Byrd.

Charles H. Byrd

S1c, later Boatswain Mate 2c

   In the course of the attack at Pearl Harbor on the U. S. S. California, 98 men were killed and 61 wounded. One of the sailors wounded was Seaman 1c Charles H. Byrd of Pearl River County Mississippi. He was first reported as killed but was later found alive and hospitalized at the U. S. Naval Hospital – Pearl Harbor. Released from the hospital on 28 February 1942, Charles returned to duty with the California. On 30 March 1944, Charles Byrd transferred to the newly commissioned Patrol Craft Escort USS PCE (R) 848 with the rank of BM2c.

   PCE ships were converted to communications centers and USS PCE (R) 848 sailed to Hollandia, New Guinea, in late September 1944. The ship was damaged by a horizonal bomber (kamikaze) on 27 October 1944. The ship was present in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony in September 1945.