Checotah in McIntosh County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Paul Henry Carr
1924 - 1944
— WWII Naval Hero, Checotah —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 10, 2014
1. Paul Henry Carr Marker
Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Paul Henry Carr, USNR (1924-1944), heroic Gun Captain of the After 5-inch Mount of the Destroyer Escort, Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), died during the battle off Samar, Battle of Leyte Gulf, 25 Oct. 1944. He was awarded a posthumous Silver Star for his "outstanding technical skill" and "courageous initiative." Carr's Mount fired over 300 rounds, crippling the enemy, but Japanese shells severely damaged the Sammy B.
Carr and his crew continued to fire 6 charges by hand, however a 7th shell prematurely exploded, wrecking the gun and killing and wounding all but 3 men in the gunhouse. Although severely wounded, Carr continued unassisted to try to fire one last available round before being dragged from the gun mount. He perished a few minutes later. The USS Carr (FFG-52) was named in 1982 in honor of this enlisted man.
Family: Wife, Parents (Thomas Henry and Minnie Mae Austin Carr, farmers east of Checotah) and eight sisters.
To commemorate his heroism, this memorial placed on Paul Carr Drive.
Dedicated July 4, 1989
Erected 1989.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1989.
Location. 35° 28.281′ N, 95°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Missouri-Kansas-Texas Depot (here, next to this marker); Methodist Episcopal Church, South (approx. 0.7 miles away); Towry Brothers Building (approx. 0.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); 116 South Broadway (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Gentry Block (approx. 0.8 miles away); Kniseley and Long Building (approx. 0.8 miles away); City Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Checotah.
More about this marker. Marker is at the MKT Railroad Depot Tourist Information Center.
Also see . . .
1. USS Carr (FFG 52). Navysite entry (Submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. USS Carr (FFG 52). Navsource Online entry (Submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. USS Carr FRG. Facebook page; site permanently closed, 2013 (Submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. USS Carr Bids Farewell (Decommissioning, March 13, 2013)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 10, 2014
2. Paul Henry Carr Marker
5. Paul Henry Carr. Find A Grave entry (Submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 10, 2014
3. Paul Henry Carr Marker Detail
via Navsource Online, unknown
4. Paul Henry Carr (13 February 1924 - 25 October 1944)
via USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413) Survivors Association, 1944
5. USS Samuel B. Roberts
via Navsource Online, 1985
6. USS Carr (FFG-52)
16 April 1985: the Pacific Ocean - Starboard beam view of Carr underway during builder's acceptance trials.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-00357 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 776 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 14, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
