CHARLES D. HOLZMUELLER, JR., S1, USN
Charles Holzmueller, Jr. '44
Charles Donnan Holzmueller, Jr. was admitted to the Naval Academy from Delaware on June 19, 1940 at age 19 years 6 months.
He resigned on June 6, 1941: "Deficient in studies, second term's work. Recommended to be dropped. Permitted to resign."
Lucky Bag
Charles Donnan Holzmueller, Jr., is listed on a page titled "Gone… But Ne'er Forgotten":
There were close to a thousand of us when we entered in June of 1940 and formed the new fourth class, the class of 1944. Now, as we graduate one year ahead of time, there are less than 800. But we who go to join the active services are sure in our minds that our friends of fourth class summer who have left us at various stages of the course will find their place in the American Victory Machine, rolling relentlessly on to a triumph over the forces of evil that threaten the life and liberty we all hold so dear.
Photographs
Photo from the book "Milford" by David Kenton. Located by Kathy Franz.
Loss
Charles was lost on May 2, 1942 when USS Cythera (PY 126) was sunk off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Only two of the seventy one officers and crew aboard survived; they were rescued by the attacking U-boat and taken as prisoners of war.
Other Information
From Find A Grave:
Son of Charles Donnan Holzmueller, Sr. and Ruth Sipple Holzmueller.
Charles, who resided on Lake Avenue, Milford, Delaware, served as a Seaman First Class with the U.S.S. Cythera (PY-26), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He was a graduate of Milford High class of 1938, leading athlete in football and basketball of which he captained both.
He later attended Bullis School in Maryland, and was appointment to U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. After 1 year at the academy he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the Cythera.
The Cythera was a yacht converted to coastal patrol work off Cape Hatteras. The vessel was hit hard 1 hour after leaving port and went to the bottom within a few moments. The torpedo tore the ship in two and caused the depth charges to explode. Only 2 were saved.
Charles was declared "Missing In Action" when the Cythera was sunk off Cape Hatteras.
He had served in the Navy for four months at the time of his death.
In high school "Donnie" was captain of both the football and basketball teams. He (and his father) are listed on the Carlisle Fire Company (Milford, DE) "in memory" page.
He was survived by his parents, as well as his sisters Margaret and Ruth.
Charles is one of 66 members of the Class of 1944 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
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