Harvey Emerson Oswald
Encyclopedia
Harvey Emerson Oswald, born in Columbus, Ohio
, September 11, 1918, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in April 1938. Discharged from the reserve at his own request August 3, 1939, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy the same day.
as a Machinist Mate, Second Class, he was killed when that ship came under Japanese aerial attack at Darwin, Australia, February 19, 1942.
airplane machine gun
, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star
.
was named in his honor. The ship was laid down April 1, 1943 at the Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida
; launched April 25, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Zola F. Oswald, mother of Harvey E. Oswald, MM2/c; and commissioned June 12, 1944.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, September 11, 1918, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in April 1938. Discharged from the reserve at his own request August 3, 1939, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy the same day.
Navy career
Assigned the following December to USS William B. Preston (DD-344)USS William B. Preston (DD-344)
USS William B. Preston was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for William B. Preston....
as a Machinist Mate, Second Class, he was killed when that ship came under Japanese aerial attack at Darwin, Australia, February 19, 1942.
Awarded Silver Star
For his prompt and courageous manning of a .50 caliber PBYPBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
airplane machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
, he 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....
.
Namesake
USS Oswald (DE-767)USS Oswald (DE-767)
USS Oswald was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys....
was named in his honor. The ship was laid down April 1, 1943 at the Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
; launched April 25, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Zola F. Oswald, mother of Harvey E. Oswald, MM2/c; and commissioned June 12, 1944.