Years of service 1937–1942 Rank Lieutenant | Name William Kephart | |
Died October 14, 1942, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands Service/branch United States Navy Reserve Similar People Francis C Flaherty, Roger Sonnabend, Arthur Murray Preston, Warren Christopher, John Jordan | ||
Battles/wars Guadalcanal campaign Battles and wars Guadalcanal Campaign Allegiance United States of America | ||
William Perry Kephart, born Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, 9 September 1915, enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve 15 August 1937 and was appointed Aviation Cadet 3 months later. After flight training at Pensacola, Fla., he was commissioned Ensign 1 December 1938.
Kephart served with air groups in Saratoga (CV-3) and Wasp (CV-7), and in May 1940 returned to Pensacola as a flight instructor. Six months later he rejoined Scouting Squadron 71 (VS-71) on board Wasp. Promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.) 15 June 1942 and Lieutenant (temporary) 1 October, Lt. Kephart was killed in action 14 October while engaging the enemy over Guadalcanal.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS Kephart (DE-207) was named in Lt. Kephart's honor, sponsored by his mother.
References
William P. Kephart Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA