Charlie Wilson’s World War
July 19, 2009
You may have heard of the movie staring Tom Hanks….. ” Charlie WIlson’s War”. The movie was based on a true story… of a Texas Congressman involved in the largest covert operation in history.
Well this story is not based on a true story… it is the story as Charlie Wilson lived it. Our Charlie Wilson was a southern boy who grew up during hard times… and was estranged from his parents. He joined the United States Navy before finishing High School, and served aboard the USS Louisville.
Aboard ship he lost many friends due to Kamikaze attacks….. and is alive today because of one fateful decision. He shares a story that is very powerful and moving. Charlie did not serve in the largest covert operation in history….. no but he did serve in the largest war in history.
He is very serious during his interview, but Charlie is a very friendly man who often comes to our events. He has a great sense of humor, and it our honor to share his story with you. He has resided in Michigan since 1946.
| USS Louisville off Mare Island, 17 December 1943. Camouflage is probably Measure 32, pattern 6d | |
| Career (United States of America) |  |
|---|---|
| Operator: |  United States Navy |
| Laid down: | 4 July 1929 |
| Launched: | 1 September 1930 |
| Commissioned: | 15 January 1931 |
| Decommissioned: | 17 June 1946 |
| Struck: | 1 March 1959 |
| Nickname: | Lucky Lou |
| Fate: | Scrapped in 1959 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 9,050 tons |
| Length: | 600 ft 3 in (183.0 m) |
| Beam: | 66 ft 1 in (20.1 m) |
| Draft: | 16 ft 4 in (5.0 m) |
| Speed: | 32.5 kn (37.4 mph; 60.2 km/h) |
| Complement: | 621 |
| Armament: | 9 × 8 in (200 mm)/55 cal guns (3×3), 4 × 5 in (130 mm)/25 cal guns[1], 6 × 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes |
Written by Chris Wulf
· Filed Under World War II
Thank you for this site. Met Charlie Wilson last week at Church. Great to see his story here.
My dad, Stephen Walsh, is one of the few remaining WWII vets in our small town of Tecumseh Mi. He will celebrate his 87th birthday on Memorial Day this year. I am so proud of him and his service to our Country.