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Ens William Clay “Billy” Hedrick Jr.

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Ens William Clay “Billy” Hedrick Jr.

Birth
Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky, USA
Death
5 Jul 1943 (aged 24)
Solomon Islands
Burial
Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky, USA
Memorial ID
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LOST AT SEA - Billy was killed in a battle the day before the Battle of Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands. His ship, the USS Strong DD-467 was struck down by a Japanese Long Lance torpedo. He and 45 of his shipmates and fellow officers died that night. His body was never recovered, but a memorial plaque was placed on the family stone. We will never forget him, and will always love him.

Billy attended Transylvania University in Lexington, KY from 1936-1940, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He was the only one of the 11 surviving children of William and Emma to attend college on a full scholarship and to graduate, earning a degree in French and English with an emphasis on education. He returned home to Mt. Sterling and taught at his old high school, the Mt. Sterling City High School for two years before being called into service with the Naval Reserve. He received Naval Officer's Training at Notre Dame University and Northwestern in Chicago and his officer's commission on October 9th, 1942. He departed from Boston in December of 1942 with the Strong, on his way to the Pacific Theater. With his death, he left behind the broken hearts of his family, the loving sisters who worshiped him, memories to treasure and a story yet to be told.

He was so much more than the Naval Ensign who died in the performance of his duty. He was a son, a brother, a teacher, a citizen of Mt. Sterling and Lexington, Kentucky who had many friends and loved life. He loved classical music, writing, reading great books, and spending time with his nieces and nephews. His story is worthy of being told. I'm working on it. Here is just part of my effort to honor him and the men he served with aboard Strong: http://www.projectuss-strongdd467.com.



LOST AT SEA - Billy was killed in a battle the day before the Battle of Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands. His ship, the USS Strong DD-467 was struck down by a Japanese Long Lance torpedo. He and 45 of his shipmates and fellow officers died that night. His body was never recovered, but a memorial plaque was placed on the family stone. We will never forget him, and will always love him.

Billy attended Transylvania University in Lexington, KY from 1936-1940, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He was the only one of the 11 surviving children of William and Emma to attend college on a full scholarship and to graduate, earning a degree in French and English with an emphasis on education. He returned home to Mt. Sterling and taught at his old high school, the Mt. Sterling City High School for two years before being called into service with the Naval Reserve. He received Naval Officer's Training at Notre Dame University and Northwestern in Chicago and his officer's commission on October 9th, 1942. He departed from Boston in December of 1942 with the Strong, on his way to the Pacific Theater. With his death, he left behind the broken hearts of his family, the loving sisters who worshiped him, memories to treasure and a story yet to be told.

He was so much more than the Naval Ensign who died in the performance of his duty. He was a son, a brother, a teacher, a citizen of Mt. Sterling and Lexington, Kentucky who had many friends and loved life. He loved classical music, writing, reading great books, and spending time with his nieces and nephews. His story is worthy of being told. I'm working on it. Here is just part of my effort to honor him and the men he served with aboard Strong: http://www.projectuss-strongdd467.com.



Inscription

Ensign U.S.N.R. on USS Strong, lost at sea World War II.

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