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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Boats-Ships--Destroyer
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  • Ship History
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Bigelow
(DD-942: dp. 2810; l. 418'6"; b. 45'; dr. 20'; cpl. 337; cl. Forrest Sherman)

 

Born in Hebron, Ill., 12 July 1920, Elmer Charles Bigelow enlisted in the Navy 21 September 1942. On 15 February 1945 while engaged with Japanese forces off Corregidor Island, Philippine Islands, Fletcher (DD-445) was struck by an enemy projectile which epnetrated a magazine and set fire to several powder cases. Bigelow, Water Tender, Second Class, entered the burning compartment and extinguished the fire. He died the following day of injuries sustained and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.


Bigelow (DD-942) was launched 2 February 1957 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. Verna B. Perry, mother of Elmer C. Bigelow; and commissioned 1 November 1957, Commander A. H. McCain in command.


Updates pending for 1957 to 1982.


Bigelow was decommissioned on 5 November 1982 and struck from the Navy list on 1 June 1990. She was disposed of in support of a fleet training exercise on 2 April 2003.


 


3 February 2006

Published: Thu Jun 25 09:34:04 EDT 2015