Leonard Roy Harmon
Encyclopedia
Leonard Roy Harmon was born January 21, 1917 at Cuero, Texas
. He was 22 years of age when he enlisted in the US Navy in June 1939. He trained as a Mess Attendant. This was one of the few jobs available to black men in the navy at that time and roughly corresponded to a waiter. The basic job description consisted of serving food to officers and crew aboard ship. However, like all members of a ship’s crew they were also trained in damage control
and had stations to report to during general quarters
.
During his service he became a Mess Attendant First Class and was serving aboard the USS San Francisco (CA-38)
when on November 13, 1942 he was killed in action. During the course of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
he helped in caring for the wounded. While doing so he deliberately exposed himself to enemy gunfire in order to protect a shipmate. This action resulted in his death. He was awarded the Navy Cross
, The highest award given by the US Navy and second only to the Medal of Honor
.
Two ships were named in his honor. The first, Harmon (DE-72) was transferred prior to completion to the Royal Navy. The Second, USS Harmon (DE-678)
served from 1943 to 1947 and remained in the Reserve Fleet until 1967.
Cuero, Texas
Cuero is a city in DeWitt County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,571 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of DeWitt County. It is also unofficially known as the "turkey capital of the world"...
. He was 22 years of age when he enlisted in the US Navy in June 1939. He trained as a Mess Attendant. This was one of the few jobs available to black men in the navy at that time and roughly corresponded to a waiter. The basic job description consisted of serving food to officers and crew aboard ship. However, like all members of a ship’s crew they were also trained in damage control
Damage control
Damage control is a term used in the Merchant Marine, maritime industry and navies for the emergency control of situations that may hazard the sinking of a ship...
and had stations to report to during general quarters
General quarters
General Quarters or Battle Stations is an announcement made aboard a naval warship to signal the crew to prepare for battle or imminent damage....
.
During his service he became a Mess Attendant First Class and was serving aboard the USS San Francisco (CA-38)
USS San Francisco (CA-38)
USS San Francisco , a New Orleans-class heavy cruiser, was the second ship of the United States Navy named after the city of San Francisco, California. She saw extensive action during World War II....
when on November 13, 1942 he was killed in action. During the course of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons, The Battle of Friday the 13th, or, in Japanese sources, as the , took place from 12–15 November 1942, and was the decisive engagement in a series of naval battles...
he helped in caring for the wounded. While doing so he deliberately exposed himself to enemy gunfire in order to protect a shipmate. This action resulted in his death. He was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, The highest award given by the US Navy and second only to the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Two ships were named in his honor. The first, Harmon (DE-72) was transferred prior to completion to the Royal Navy. The Second, USS Harmon (DE-678)
USS Harmon (DE-678)
The USS Harmon was a of the United States Navy. USS Harmon was named after Mess Attendant Leonard Roy Harmon, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on the USS San Francisco during the battle of Guadalcanal...
served from 1943 to 1947 and remained in the Reserve Fleet until 1967.
External links
- http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/839334-196/daily-twip---uss-harmon-the-first.html
- http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=38684