Charles Waterhouse (artist)

Charles Waterhouse (September 22, 1924 – November 16, 2013) was an American painter, illustrator and sculptor renowned for using United States Marine Corps historical themes as the motif for his works. His art spans subjects from Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the U. S. Marines to present day topics.

Waterhouse served as a Private First Class in the 5th Marine Division from 1943 until 1946 and landed on Iwo Jima during the Pacific campaign of World War II. During the battle, he sustained wounds as a result of enemy action and subsequently received the Purple Heart medal. Despite nerve damage to his left hand from injuries to his neck and shoulder, Waterhouse formally studied art after the war at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts in New Jersey, under Steven R. Kidd, Leopold Matzal and W. T. Aylward, and graduated in 1950. During the Vietnam War, he served three tours in Vietnam as a civilian combat artist. While participating in a Bicentennial project for the Marine Corps History Division, he received a commission as a major in the Marine Reserves. In 1992, the Marines awarded Waterhouse the title "USMC Artist in Residence", thus becoming the first and only person to earn such recognition. At the same time, the Marines promoted him to colonel and he retired at that rank on 19 February 1991.

Waterhouse died on November 16, 2013 at the home of his daughter in Tom's River, New Jersey.