MARVIN J. DUCHARME
Yeoman Third Class · Plankowner, USS Silversides (SS-236) · Missing, 18 June 1944
| Born / Died | 1 Oct 1920, Red Lake Falls, MN / 18 Jun 1944, lost at sea (listed missing) |
| Service no. | 328-71-26 |
| Commissioning rate | Y3c (15 Dec 1941) |
| Silversides tenure | 15 Dec 1941 – 21 Feb 1942 |
| Patrols aboard | 0 (departed before patrol 1) |
| Final rate | CY(AA) |
| Other vessels | Sargo (SS-188), Sperry |
Prewar (1920–1941)
Marvin Ducharme was born in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, on 1 October 1920. In 1930 the family rented a house for $12 a month. His father Albert (37) was an unskilled laborer, and Marvin (9) was one of seven children then at home. By 1940 the household had grown to eleven children, with Albert working as a maintenance man for the State Highway Department. Marvin (19) was a laborer at the creamery, while his brothers Fay and Donald worked at the pulp mill and a dry cleaner. Three of his brothers served in the war: Paul as a Captain in the Army Air Forces, Fay in the South Pacific, and Donald as an Army Captain in World War II and Korea. His enlistment date is not yet established.
On Silversides (Dec 1941 – Feb 1942)
Ducharme commissioned aboard *Silversides* on 15 December 1941 as Y3c, one of the boat’s yeomen. He left on 21 February 1942, about ten weeks before she sailed on her first war patrol, and made none.
No patrols aboard.
Later War (1942–1944)
His file lists Sargo (SS-188) and the tender Sperry among his boats, without dates, and he reached the rate of Chief Yeoman (Acting Appointment). By 1944 he was in the Southwest Pacific.
Death (18 June 1944)
Ducharme was listed missing on 18 June 1944 from Motor Torpedo Boat Base No. 4, “In the China Straits, New Guinea.” He was twenty-three. No craft is named, and the nature of the loss is not yet known. His place of burial or memorial is not recorded in the file.
Research Notes
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Departure: 21 Feb 1942 comes from the frontmatter; confirm it is the exit ROC. The destination is not recorded.
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Loss: the casualty record names MTB Base No. 4, “In the China Straits, New Guinea.” An earlier reading tied the loss to the fire at Finschhafen, but the record says he was lost at sea. No craft is listed. OMPF and casualty file required.
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Unit: the Navy’s presence at an MTB base suggests a shore or tender posting. Do not infer more without the casualty file.
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Open: enlistment date, how he came to MTB Base 4, whether he is on a Tablets of the Missing list.
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Source notes (carried over, verbatim):
1940 Census Red Lake Falls, MN. Albert Ducharme (48) and Loria (44). Paul (21), Fay (20), Marvin (19), Donald (18), Norma (16), Therese (14), Alfred Jr (12), Cyril (10), Cecilia (8), Anne (6), Leo (4). Very large household. Albert Sr was a maintenance man for the State Highway Dept. Fay, Marvin, and Donald were all Laborers. Fay at the pulp mill, Marvin at the creamery, and Donald at the dry cleaning company.
1930 Census Red Lake Falls. Albert (37) and Loria (34). Paul (12), Fay (10), Marvin (9), Donald (8), Norma (6), Therese (4), Albert Jr (2). $12 rental. Albert’s occupation is “Labor” and industry “unskilled.”
Paul Ducharm was a Captain in the US Army Air Forces.
Fay served in the South Pacific during World War II. Unclear which branch from his findagrave.
Donald was a Captain in the US Army with service in WWII and Korea.Marvin was listed missing on 18 June 1944 from Motor Torpedo Boat Base no Four “In the China Straits, New Guinea.” Originally associated the loss with the fire at Finschafen but he was lost at sea. Unknown what the nature of his loss was as no craft is listed.
Sources: 1930 and 1940 census; Find a Grave; Silversides muster.