Name Eugene Greene Launched March 18, 1945 Unit Bombing Squadron 6 | Rank Ensign Length 119 m Years of service 1941-1942 Role Gearing-class destroyer | |
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Born November 21, 1921
Smithtown, New York ( 1921-11-21 ) Died June 4, 1942(1942-06-04) (aged 20)
Pacific Ocean near Midway Atoll Allegiance United States of America Builder Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny | ||
Service/branch United States Navy Construction started August 17, 1944 | ||
Eugene A. Greene (1921–1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in the Battle of Midway during World War II.
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Biography
Greene was born on 21 November 1921 in Smithtown, New York. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 13 January 1941, and after aviation training, was commissioned ensign on 30 August 1941.
Serving as a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber pilot in Bombing Squadron 6 (VB-6) based on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), Greene was killed in action on 4 June 1942 in the Battle of Midway. He distinguished himself in breaking through heavy Japanese fighter and antiaircraft opposition to dive-bomb an Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier.
Awards
Ensign Greene was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his selfless heroism.
Namesakes
In 1943, the name Eugene A. Greene was assigned to the U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Eugene A. Greene (DE-549). Her construction was cancelled in 1944 before she could be completed.
In 1944, the destroyer USS Eugene A. Greene (DD-711) was named in his honor. She was in commission from 1945 to 1972.