Hull Number: DE-376
Class: JOHN C. BUTLER
JOHN C. BUTLER Class
Namesake: CHARLES KLEINSMITH
CHARLES KLEINSMITH
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, July 2022
Charles Kleinsmith, born 28 September 1904 in Zionville, Pa., enlisted in the Navy 26 October 1922 as an apprentice seaman. Until honorably discharged 5 October 1926 as Fireman Second Class, he served on board several ships, including Wyoming (BB-32) and Maryland (BB-46). Kleinsmith reenlisted 20 December 1928, and during the next 11 years he had duty on board Milwaukee (CL-5), Cincinnati (CL-6), Portland (CA-33), and Honolulu (CL-48). He reported on board Saratoga (CV-3) 27 December 1939 and transferred to Yorktown (CV-5) 31 October 1940.
During the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942, Kleinsmith maintained auxiliary power on board Yorktown after an intense enemy bombing attack extinguished the fires in all boilers but one. Despite the stifling fumes, intense heat, and imminence of explosion, he performed courageously, enabling the fighting carrier to attain speed necessary for launching plances to oppose a Japanese aerial torpedo attack. At the end of the attack, Chief Watertender Kleinsmith was missing and presumed dead. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Disposition:
The name Kleinsmith was assigned to DE-376 on 31 May 1944, but construction of the ship was canceled 6 June 1944.