Charles Pedibone Peters was the son of Charles Pedibone Peters Sr. and Edna Ellen Holden. He was reported as Missing in action since 15 November 1942 and officially declared dead on 16 November 1943.
Charles Peters served on the U.S.S. Preston (DD379). He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and also has a memorial headstone at Mountain Home National Cemetery, Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee.
At 0036 November 15, 1942 the U.S.S. Preston was sunk while actively engaged in surface battle against Japanese naval forces. The engagement took place in the channel between Savo Island and Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands. Task Force Sixty-Four was formed in battle disposition in column in the following order. U.S.S. Walke, U.S.S. Benham, U.S.S. Preston, U.S.S. Gwin, U.S.S. Washington and U.S.S. South Dakota.
At 0026 the Gwin opened fire on the leading ship of the enemy group hugging the shore of Savo, range 10,000 yards. The target appeared to be a light cruiser, but was probably a heavy destroyer. Four minutes later, consecutive salvos struck the Japanese ship, which was now 8,500 yards away. Only one gun replied. Soon afterward the Gwin reported that she was being fired on by a Kuma-type light cruiser on her port quarter. A moment earlier the Preston sighted a ship off the southern shore off Savo on her starboard bow and opened fire with all four guns. The target, which seemed to be a destroyer-leader or light cruiser, was plainly visible in the moonlight, distant about 9,000 yards. The Preston scored hits after a few salvos, and her fire was soon returned. The Japanese vessel began to burn fiercely, and the Preston shifted to another ship in the shadow of Savo, range 8,000 yards. As she did so, she was struck by two projectiles, probably 6-inch, on the starboard side. One landed between the two fire-rooms, killing all personnel. Several fires broke out, including one in the TNT of warheads cracked open by the shock. The second stack fell onto the searchlight.
Meanwhile an enemy cruiser came in on the port side of the column, virtually undetected, and the U.S.S. Preston was hit on the port side by part of an 8-inch salvo (probably three shells). One shell penetrated to the engine room, one landed between the secondary control station and No. 3 gun, and one on No. 4 gun. Guns No. 1 and No. 2 were jammed in train. The whole afterpart of the ship soon became a mass of flaming wreckage. The Preston listed to starboard and settled by the stern. The commanding officer, Comdr. Max C. Stormes, gave the order to abandon ship. In half a minute the destroyer rolled over on her side and began to sink. The bow rose vertically and remained in that position about 10 minutes before the vessel slid beneath the surface.
The Knoxville Journal, 31 December 1942
Three upper East Tennessee men are included on the Navy’s latest casualty list. The list, released for publication today by the Navy Department, was reported to next of kin during the period from December 1 to December 15. The upstate men are Jack Monroe Turner of Erwin, listed killed in action; James Howard Bennett of Piney Flats and Charles Peters of Johnson City, both reported missing.
Peters, the Johnson Citian, is the son of Mrs. Edna E. Peters of 23 East Grand Avenue, and served the Navy as a fireman second class. Born in Butler, Tenn., he came with his family to Johnson City about 16 years ago and attended high school here. He joined the Navy at Johnson City in August, 1941.
- Rank: Fireman Second Class
- Date of birth: 17 February 1924
- Date of death: 16 November 1943
- County: Washington
- Hometown: Johnson City
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Preston (DD-379)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines; Mountain Home National Cemetery, Johnson City, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Charles P. Peters Jr.
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