Frederick Warren Purdy
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Commander Frederick Warren Purdy, USN (4 December 1911 - 5 July 1942) was a United States Navy
officer during World War II
.
and was commissioned Ensign
1 June 1933. Prior to World War II
he served at sea in Mississippi (BB-41)
, Bagley
, and California (BB-44)
and ashore at Newport, Rhode Island
, Washington, D.C.
, and Annapolis
.
On 10 June 1942 he reported to the destroyer Strong (DD-467)
as prospective executive officer, and after commissioning sailed in her to the Solomons. On the night of 4–5 July Strong, a unit of a task force which bombarded Vila
and Bairokc, to initiate the naval part of the campaign for Munda
, was sunk. Lieutenant Commander
Purdy assisted forecastle personnel to a rescue vessel, then returned to search for an injured man reported to be on the deck behind the gun mount. Not seen again, Lieutenant Commander Purdy was posthumously awarded the Silver Star
in recognition of his heroic spirit and inspiring conduct.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Purdy was born in Chicago, Illinois, graduated from the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
and was commissioned Ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
1 June 1933. Prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served at sea in Mississippi (BB-41)
USS Mississippi (BB-41)
USS Mississippi , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 20th state, and the second battleship to carry the name. Commissioned in 1917, too late to serve in World War I, she served extensively in the Pacific in World War II, for which she earned eight battle stars...
, Bagley
USS Bagley (DD-185)
The second USS Bagley was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was renamed USS Doran and later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS St...
, and California (BB-44)
USS California (BB-44)
USS California , a Tennessee-class battleship, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 31st state. Beginning as the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, she served in the Pacific her entire career. She was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor at her moorings in Battleship Row,...
and ashore at Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
.
On 10 June 1942 he reported to the destroyer Strong (DD-467)
USS Strong (DD-467)
USS Strong , a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral James H. Strong , who distinguished himself at the Battle of Mobile Bay....
as prospective executive officer, and after commissioning sailed in her to the Solomons. On the night of 4–5 July Strong, a unit of a task force which bombarded Vila
Vila
Vila is a site at the southern end of Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands, originally the location of the Vila Stanmore coconut plantation....
and Bairokc, to initiate the naval part of the campaign for Munda
Munda (Solomon Islands)
Munda is the largest settlement on the island of New Georgia in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, and consists of a number of villages...
, was sunk. Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Purdy assisted forecastle personnel to a rescue vessel, then returned to search for an injured man reported to be on the deck behind the gun mount. Not seen again, Lieutenant Commander Purdy was posthumously awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
in recognition of his heroic spirit and inspiring conduct.