Charles Lawrence Ausburne was born in New Orleans, La., 26 July 1889, and enlisted in the United States Navy 25 February 1908. As an Electrician First Class , Ausburne manned the emergency wireless station in the Army transport SS Antilles, and following the ship's fatal torpedoing 17 October 1917 by U-62 , stood to his duty until the ship sank beneath him. His gallantry was recognized in the posthumous award of the Navy Cross.
Two ships of the U.S. Navy have been named in his honor. Since other family members spelled their name as "Ausburn", the first ship was named USS Charles Ausburn (DD-294). It was later found that he himself signed as "Ausburne", and the second ship was named USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570).
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