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Charles John Baxtrom

Private Charles J. Baxtrom served the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34).
He was lost at sea in the battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal, on 9 August 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 272764

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Lost At Sea

Pursuit Category

Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

November 8, 1919
at Chicago, IL

Parents

Charles Baxtrom (d. 1922)
Anna Elizabeth (Moore) Baxtrom
later Anna Kenneally (d. 1936)

Education

Tilden High School

Occupation & Employer

Details unknown

Service Life

Entered Service

June 5, 1939
at Chicago, IL

Home Of Record

Chicago, IL

Next Of Kin

Aunt, Miss Genevieve Moore

Military Specialty

Ship’s Detachment

Primary Unit

USS Astoria

Campaigns Served

Coral Sea
Midway
Guadalcanal / Savo Island

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Private Charles Baxtrom served with the Marine detachment aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria in 1942. While his exact duties aboard ship are not currently known,  he likely had a battle station at one of the anti-aircraft batteries and participated in action at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway.

Astoria provided fire support for the Marine landings at Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942, and remained on station to guard the vulnerable transports offloading supplies. In the early morning hours of 9 August, a Japanese surface fleet slipped into the channel and caught the Allied warships completely by surprise. Astoria roused her crew to battle stations and entered the fray at approximately 0150 hours. The ship fought bravely, but the effects of surprise and superior Japanese night tactics proved too much to overcome. Four Allied cruisers were soon flaming wrecks, and the Japanese withdrew at 0225.

Gunfire damage report for USS Astoria, 1942.

Damage control crews tried valiantly to save the damaged Astoria and managed to keep her afloat for several hours. The cumulative effect of at least 65 hits, numerous fires, and personnel casualties gradually overwhelmed their efforts. Astoria listed and settled by the stern, finally sinking at 1216 hours on 9 August. In all, 219 of her crew perished in the battle of Savo Island.

Private Baxtrom was last seen at 0215 hours; an eyewitness confirmed him dead, along with PFC Wencel W. Kust. His remains went down with the ship.

Burial Information or Disposition

Remains lost at sea; ship considered to be final resing place.

Memorials

Next Of Kin Address

Address of aunt, Miss Genevieve Moore.

Location Of Loss

The Astoria sank in Iron Bottom Sound at 1216, 9 August 1942.

Related Profiles

USS Astoria Marines lost at Savo Island
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