CHARLES H. LIEBHAUSER, CDR, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Charles Liebhauser '42

Date of birth: February 19, 1921

Date of death: June 5, 1956

Age: 35

Lucky Bag

From the 1942 Lucky Bag:

1942 Liebhauser LB.jpg

CHARLES H. LIEBHAUSER

Port Monmouth, New Jersey

Dutch, Chuck

Dutch has his happiest moments when he can accompany a song fest with his guitar or just plain harmonize. He thoroughly enjoys a good, thought-provoking argument and can contribute facts which almost invariably win the point. Except for a few isolated times, Dutch has been a member of the radiator squad, while reading and dragging have been his favorite diversions. A philosopher at heart, he sometimes surprises his oldest friends.

Battalion Football; Battalion Swimming; Boat Club 2, 1; Mandolin Club 4, 3, 2. 1; G.P.O.


The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.

1942 Liebhauser LB.jpg

CHARLES H. LIEBHAUSER

Port Monmouth, New Jersey

Dutch, Chuck

Dutch has his happiest moments when he can accompany a song fest with his guitar or just plain harmonize. He thoroughly enjoys a good, thought-provoking argument and can contribute facts which almost invariably win the point. Except for a few isolated times, Dutch has been a member of the radiator squad, while reading and dragging have been his favorite diversions. A philosopher at heart, he sometimes surprises his oldest friends.

Battalion Football; Battalion Swimming; Boat Club 2, 1; Mandolin Club 4, 3, 2. 1; G.P.O.


The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.

Loss

Charles was lost on June 5, 1956 in the North Atlantic "in a plane crash at sea." (Information from Register of Alumni and November 1956 issue of Shipmate.)

Other Information

Charles wrote an article titled "CAPITAL SHIP FOR AN AIR NAVY;" it included this as an introduction: From VP Navy:

COMMANDER LIEBHAUSER lost his life in the crash of his plane while he was serving with Anti-Submarine Squadron 39 (VS-39) in 1956. He had graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1942, served in the Wichita in World War II, in the Onslow in the Korean fighting, attended the Armed Forces Staff College, and instructed at the U. S. Naval Academy.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Charles attended Port Monmouth grammar school and graduated from Middletown township high school at Leonardo. He was a member of the school orchestra, Boys’ Glee Club, Mixed Glee Club, Service Club, Press Club, Stamp Club, Reflector and Adoranoel staffs and Harmonica Club. He was also assistant orchestra leader, gym leader, Boys’ Glee Club leader and a deputy teacher. As a member of the Homestead orchestra, he was heard over radio stations WBRB and WCAP.

He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Congressman William H. Sutphin. Right before graduation from the Naval Academy, he had an operation for appendicitis and took many of his final examinations in the hospital.

During WW II, he was in the European and Pacific theaters. In October 1943, he was promoted from lieutenant (junior grade) to lieutenant.

He married Jane Patricia Chakofski at St. Cecelia’s Catholic church in Boston on April 8, 1945. He was stationed at Pensacola at the time. After finishing at Pensacola in November 1945, he was promoted to lieutenant commander.

Charles was killed in the crash of a twin-engine S2F-1 Navy plane off the coast of Norfolk. The crash occurred during night carrier landing practice from the carrier Antietam.

He was survived by his wife; three daughters, Karin, Dianne and Christine; his mother Theresa; and his brother Edward. His father died in 1943.

He was also survived by his sister.

Charles was an instructor in the Department of Marine Engineering at the Naval Academy in 1954 and 1955.

Photographs

Related Articles

Glenn Wilson '53 was also lost in this crash.


Class of 1942

Charles is one of 82 members of the Class of 1942 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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