Arlington National Cemetery. He eventually transferred to the Submarine Service, becoming one of the first hospital corpsmen to serve on a nuclear submarine. He served as an Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) in the Navy's nuclear submarine program. He served under Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr. on the , but joined the crew too late to participate in Triton's historic circumnavigation voyage in 1960. He was also an IDC on the Gold crew 1962–1965. Charette's other assignments included the ; Fleet Ballistic Missile Training Center, Charleston, SC; ; Naval Hospital, Orlando, FL; ; and at the Recruit Dispensary, Orlando, FL. Retirement Charette retired from the Navy at the rate (rank) of Master Chief Hospital Corpsman (HMCM) on April 1, 1977, after 26 years of service. Later years Charette was a member of the following organizations: Congressional Medal of Honor Society Fleet Reserve Association in Charleston, South Carolina Korean War Veterans Association Sea Poacher Base United States Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI) Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2420 in Lake Wales, Florida AMVETS Charette Post 82 in Ludington, Michigan (named in 1982) William R. Charette Chapter 158, Elks Lodge (named in 1974) Death Charette died at his home in Lake Wales, Florida, on March 18, 2012, due to complications from heart surgery. He was interred at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. He was married for 57 years with four children. Military awards Charette's military decorations and awards include: Medal of Honor citation The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces during the early morning hours of 27 March 1953. Participating in a fierce encounter with a cleverly concealed and well-entrenched enemy force occupying positions on a vital and bitterly contested outpost far in advance of the main line of resistance, HM3 Charette repeatedly and unhesitatingly moved about through a murderous barrage of hostile small-arms and mortar fire to render assistance to his wounded comrades. When an enemy grenade landed within a few feet of a marine he was attending, he immediately threw himself upon the stricken man and absorbed the entire concussion of the deadly missile with his body. Although sustaining painful facial wounds, and