Charles Alderman was born on May 11, 1930, in Joshua, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 25, 1950, and completed basic training at NTC San Diego, California, in December 1950. Alderman next attended Metalsmith A School at NTC San Diego from January to March 1951, followed by service aboard the destroyer tender USS Everglades (AD-24) from April 1951 to June 1954. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on July 21, 1954, and then reenlisted in the Navy on October 12, 1954. He served at Naval Station San Diego from October 1954 to February 1955, and then served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) from February to December 1955. Petty Officer Alderman attended training at Sandia Base, New Mexico, from January to March 1956, and then served at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia, from March 1956 until his honorable discharge on October 12, 1958. He again reenlisted in the Navy on December 23, 1958, and after additional training served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CV-15) from March to May 1959. His next assignment was aboard the seaplane tender USS Albemarle (AV-5) from May 1959 to May 1960, followed by Anti-Submarine Warfare School at U.S. Fleet Sonar School Key West, Florida, from June to October 1960. He again served aboard USS Randolph from October 1960 to November 1961, and then attended Underwater Swimmer School at Key West, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) School at Indian Head, Maryland, from December 1961 to September 1962. His next assignment was as an EOD Technician at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit ONE (EODU-1) at Naval Ammunition Depot Hawaii from September 1962 to October 1963, followed by additional training at the EOD School at Indian Head from October to November 1963. Petty Officer Alderman served at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, from November 1963 to February 1965, and then attended the Deep Sea Diving School at Washington, D.C., from February to September 1965. He attended additional training back at the EOD School at Indian Head from September 1965 to March 1966, followed by Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, from March 1966 until he was appointed a Warrant Officer in the U.S. Navy in May 1966. His next assignment was aboard the ammunition auxiliary ship USS Rainier (AD-5) from June 1966 to December 1968, and then at Service Squadron 7 at NAS Alameda from December 1968 to February 1969. After attending additional training at the EOD School at Indian Head, CWO Alderman served with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit, Pacific, at Naval Air Station North Island, California, from May 1969 to May 1973. His next assignment was with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group TWO at Fort Story, Virginia, from May 1973 until he was killed in a Fuel-Air Explosive accident on one of the ranges of Naval Weapons Center China Lake, California, on May 21, 1976. Charles Alderman was buried at the Rosehill Cemetery in Cleburne, Texas. His wife, Mildred Johanna Alderman (1930-1988) is buried with him.

The Sailor's Creed:

I am a United States Sailor.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.

I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.