Name Marvin Ramsden Unit USS Lexington (CV-2) | Rank Coxswain Years of service 1936-1942 | |
Born January 2, 1919
Pleasant Lake, North Dakota ( 1919-01-02 ) Died May 8, 1942(1942-05-08) (aged 23)
Coral Sea Allegiance United States of America | ||
Service/branch United States Navy |
Marvin Lee Ramsden was born on January 2, 1919 at Pleasant Lake, North Dakota.
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Navy career
Ramsden enlisted in the Navy May 21, 1936 and reported for duty in USS Lexington (CV-2) on October 8, 1936.
Awarded the Silver Star
During the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 8, 1942, Coxswain Ramsden, a member of Lexington's crew throughout his career, remained at his exposed station, despite wounds, continuing to operate a rangefinder in the face of intense enemy strafing and dive-bombing attacks until he died. For his gallant and intrepid conduct, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Namesake
USS Ramsden (DE-382) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down March 26, 1943 by the Brown Shipbuilding Corp., Houston, Texas; launched May 24, 1943; sponsored by Mrs. James L. Ramsden, mother of Coxswain Ramsden; and commissioned October 19, 1943, Lt. Comdr. J. E. Madacey, USCG, in command.