Years of service 1941–1942 Role APD-96 Name Ray Edwards Launched February 19, 1944 | Unit 1st Marine Division Rank Corporal Length 93 m | |
Born November 11, 1923
Chicago, Illinois ( 1923-11-11 ) Died September 12, 1942(1942-09-12) (aged 18)
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Navy
United States Marine Corps | ||
Construction started December 1, 1943 Builder Charleston Naval Shipyard | ||
Ray K. Edwards (1923–1942) was a United States Marine Corps corporal who received a posthumous Silver Star for his actions in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II.
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Biography
Ray Keith Edwards was born on 11 November 1923 at Chicago, Illinois. He enlisted in the United States Navy on 16 June 1941, then was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps at his own request and was rated corporal on 23 February 1942.
Edwards lost his life during World War II while receiving an important radio message during a Japanese aerial bombardment on Guadalcanal on 12 September 1942.
Awards
For his action on Guadalcanal on 12 September 1942, Edwards received the Silver Star posthumously.
Namesakes
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Ray K. Edwards (DE-237) was named for Corporal Edwards. During construction, she was converted into the high-speed transport USS Ray K. Edwards (APD-96), and was in commission as such from 1945 to 1946.