Name Frederick Purdy | Died July 5, 1942 | |
Education United States Naval Academy | ||
Lieutenant Commander Frederick Warren Purdy, USN (December 4, 1911 - July 5, 1943) was a United States Navy officer and Silver Star recipient during World War II.
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Biography
Purdy was born in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned as an Ensign on June 1, 1933. Prior to World War II he served at sea on the Mississippi (BB-41), Bagley, and California (BB-44) and ashore at Newport, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and Annapolis.
On June 10, 1942 he reported to the destroyer Strong (DD-467) as a prospective executive officer, and sailed aboard the destroyer to the Solomon Islands. Strong was part of a task force that bombarded Vila and Bairoko Harbor, initiating the naval part of the campaign for Munda. On the night of July 4-5, 1943, the Strong was sunk. Lieutenant Commander Purdy assisted forecastle personnel to a rescue vessel and then returned to search for an injured man reported to be on the deck behind the gun mount. Lieutenant Commander Purdy was not seen again, and he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star in recognition of his heroic spirit and inspiring conduct.
Legacy
The destroyer USS Purdy (DD-734) was named in his honor.