Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until February 2, 1944, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.
" William was the youngest known Delawarean to lose his life during World War II ! "
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
William served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. De Haven (DD-469), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Bridgeville, Sussex County, Delaware prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Navy on August 6, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He reported to duty on the De Haven on September 21, 1942.
The U.S.S. De Haven was screening six LCTs and a seaplane tender while they were establishing a beachhead at Marovo on Guadalcanal. While escorting two of the landing craft back to their base in the afternoon, the De Haven was hit by three bombs dropped by Japanese aircraft. One bomb hit the superstructure squarely, killing the commanding officer instantly. All way was lost after the first hit and the ship began to settle rapidly, sinking about 2 miles east of Savo Island. The De Haven lost 167 killed and 38 wounded.
William was declared "Missing In Action" during this attack.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2442053
The U.S.S. De Haven received one battle star for her World War II service.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
" William was the youngest known Delawarean to lose his life during World War II ! "
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
William served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. De Haven (DD-469), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Bridgeville, Sussex County, Delaware prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Navy on August 6, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He reported to duty on the De Haven on September 21, 1942.
The U.S.S. De Haven was screening six LCTs and a seaplane tender while they were establishing a beachhead at Marovo on Guadalcanal. While escorting two of the landing craft back to their base in the afternoon, the De Haven was hit by three bombs dropped by Japanese aircraft. One bomb hit the superstructure squarely, killing the commanding officer instantly. All way was lost after the first hit and the ship began to settle rapidly, sinking about 2 miles east of Savo Island. The De Haven lost 167 killed and 38 wounded.
William was declared "Missing In Action" during this attack.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2442053
The U.S.S. De Haven received one battle star for her World War II service.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until February 2, 1944, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.
" William was the youngest known Delawarean to lose his life during World War II ! "
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
William served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. De Haven (DD-469), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Bridgeville, Sussex County, Delaware prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Navy on August 6, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He reported to duty on the De Haven on September 21, 1942.
The U.S.S. De Haven was screening six LCTs and a seaplane tender while they were establishing a beachhead at Marovo on Guadalcanal. While escorting two of the landing craft back to their base in the afternoon, the De Haven was hit by three bombs dropped by Japanese aircraft. One bomb hit the superstructure squarely, killing the commanding officer instantly. All way was lost after the first hit and the ship began to settle rapidly, sinking about 2 miles east of Savo Island. The De Haven lost 167 killed and 38 wounded.
William was declared "Missing In Action" during this attack.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2442053
The U.S.S. De Haven received one battle star for her World War II service.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
" William was the youngest known Delawarean to lose his life during World War II ! "
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
William served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. De Haven (DD-469), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Bridgeville, Sussex County, Delaware prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Navy on August 6, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He reported to duty on the De Haven on September 21, 1942.
The U.S.S. De Haven was screening six LCTs and a seaplane tender while they were establishing a beachhead at Marovo on Guadalcanal. While escorting two of the landing craft back to their base in the afternoon, the De Haven was hit by three bombs dropped by Japanese aircraft. One bomb hit the superstructure squarely, killing the commanding officer instantly. All way was lost after the first hit and the ship began to settle rapidly, sinking about 2 miles east of Savo Island. The De Haven lost 167 killed and 38 wounded.
William was declared "Missing In Action" during this attack.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2442053
The U.S.S. De Haven received one battle star for her World War II service.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
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