Charles B. Tripi
Charlie Tripi was a 50-year resident of Clarence and was known to many in the area as the Electrical Inspector for the New York Board of Fire Underwriters. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as Electrician’s Mate 1st Class on the USS Cassin Young. He was stationed in the Gyro Room, which was a critical space for ship’s control. The gyro compass located there was vital to maintaining the ship’s direction.
Cassin Young was part of the Pacific Fleet and saw much action from the Philippines to Okinawa. On 12 April 1945 and again on 29 July, the ship was attacked and struck by kamikazes. Even so, they were able to rescue many from 2 nearby destroyers which were sunk.
The U.S. Navy has permanently loaned Cassin Young to the National Park Service, to be preserved as a floating memorial ship berthed at the Boston Navy Yard, part of the Boston National Historical Park in Boston, Massachusetts, across from Constitution. She arrived on 15 June 1978 and was opened to the public in 1981. Charlie was able to visit the ship several times and reconnect with many of his shipmates, which was both a very emotional and gratifying experience for him.
Military Branch: Navy
Rank: Electricians Mate 1st Class
Years Enlisted: 1942-1946
Status: Honorably Discharged