24 years old from Hebron, Illinois
USS Fletcher (DD-445)
July 12, 1920 - February 15, 1945
The Son of German immigrants, Elmer Bigelow joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the U.S.S. Fletcher in 1943. In 1945 Watertender Second Glass was killed when his boat was hit by enemy fire which ignited several powder cases. With little regard for his own safety, Bigelow rushed below with two fire extinguishers to put out the fires before they could cause anymore damage. In doing so he forwent the breathing apparatus that would have saved his life because it would have taken too much time to put on. He was able to extinguish the fires but his lungs were seared and he succumbed to his injuries the following day. For his heroics that day, Watertender Second Glass Elmer Bigelow was posthumously awarded the rank of Watertender First Class, the Medal Of Honor and in 1957 a destroyer, USS Bigelow (DD-942), was named in his honor.
You can read more about Elmer Bigelow here
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look
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Christopher Lee (Kawaistiyowa)
If You Can't Do Something Smart, Do Something Right
Yes a hero, but if he'd put on his gear he would have probably survived.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day Mike. ☺
maybe he figures it would have cost the life of his ship and his shipmates.
ReplyDelete