Frederick Warren Purdy
Lieutenant Commander Frederick Warren Purdy, USN (December 4, 1911 - July 5, 1943) was a United States Navy officer and Silver Star recipient during World War II.
Biography
Purdy was born in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned as an Ensign on June 1, 1933. Prior to World War II he served at sea on the Mississippi (BB-41), Bagley, and California (BB-44) and ashore at Newport, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and Annapolis.
On December 7, 1941 FW Purdy was stationed on the USS California, Kenneth Dawson wrote in his after action report to the USS California Captain " I would like to recommend that you consider writing an official commendatory letter regarding Lieutenant F. W. Purdy. Purdy was apparently overlooked when all the J.O.'s were commended for fighting fires, rescuing wounded, etc. Purdy went to Plot when G.Q. sounded; left there after establishing communications and checking switching; manned Air Defense and took over Sky Control (and nearly got strafed en route) and remained there during the entire attack. After I had him relieved (Mandelkorn was not then on board) Purdy personally fought fires, took charge of the various parties engaged therein, supervised rescue of badly burned and injured personnel, and in general did the usual good work for which he could always be depended upon. I think he was one of the best officers on the ship and his work on the 7th merits commendation"
On June 10, 1942 he reported to the destroyer Strong (DD-467) as a prospective executive officer, and sailed aboard the destroyer to the Solomon Islands. Strong was part of a task force that bombarded Vila and Bairoko Harbor, initiating the naval part of the campaign for Munda. On the night of July 4-5, 1943, the Strong was sunk. Lieutenant Commander Purdy assisted forecastle personnel to a rescue vessel and then returned to search for an injured man reported to be on the deck behind the gun mount. Lieutenant Commander Purdy was not seen again, and he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star in recognition of his heroic spirit and inspiring conduct.
Legacy
The destroyer USS Purdy (DD-734) was named in his honor.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.