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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Water Tender Second Class Elmer Charles Bigelow, USNR, (1920-1945)
Elmer Charles Bigelow was born in Hebron, Illinois, on 12 July
1920. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve at Chicago in September
1942 and received training at Great Lakes, Illinois, and Lawrence,
Kansas, before being assigned as a Fireman Third Class on board
the destroyer Fletcher
(DD-445) in June 1943. While serving in that ship, he advanced
in rate to Water Tender Second Class. On 14 February 1945, while
assisting minesweeping operations prior to landings on Manila
Bay's Corregidor Island, Fletcher was hit by an enemy shell
and set afire. Bigelow heroically fought the blaze, contributing
greatly to saving his ship, but was badly injured and died the
next day . Water Tender Second Class Bigelow was posthumously
awarded the Medal of Honor
for his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity".
The destroyer USS Bigelow (DD-942), 1957-1990, was named
in honor of Water Tender Second Class Elmer Charles Bigelow.
This page features our only views of Elmer Charles Bigelow.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 94340
Water Tender 2nd Class Elmer Charles Bigelow, USNR
Who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in
combat action on board USS Fletcher (DD-445) during the
Corregidor operation, 14 February 1945.
USS Bigelow (DD-942) was named in his honor.
This photograph was received from USS Bigelow in 1983.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 49KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77726
Water Tender Second Class Elmer Charles Bigelow, USNR
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Medal
of Honor, 1861-1945, The Navy", page 158.
Water Tender Bigelow was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
for heroism in combat action on board USS Fletcher (DD-445)
during the Corregidor operation, 14 February 1945.
USS Bigelow (DD-942) was named in his honor.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 157KB; 595 x 765 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Water Tender Second Class Elmer
Charles Bigelow (as printed in the official publication "Medal
of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 158):
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving on
board the U.S.S. Fletcher during action against enemy
Japanese forces off Corregidor Island in the Philippines, 14
February 1945. Standing topside when an enemy shell struck the
Fletcher, BIGELOW, acting instantly as the deadly projectile
exploded into fragments which penetrated the No. 1 gun magazine
and set fire to several powder cases, picked up a pair of fire
extinguishers and rushed below in a resolute attempt to quell
the raging flames. Refusing to waste the precious time required
to don rescue-breathing apparatus, he plunged through the blinding
smoke billowing out of the magazine hatch and dropped into the
blazing compartment. Despite the acrid, burning powder smoke
which seared his lungs with every agonizing breath, he worked
rapidly and with instinctive sureness and succeeded in quickly
extinguishing the fires and in cooling the cases and bulkheads,
thereby preventing further damage to the stricken ship. Although
he succumbed to his injuries on the following day, BIGELOW, by
his dauntless valor, unfaltering skill and prompt action in the
critical emergency, had averted a magazine explosion which undoubtedly
would have left his ship wallowing at the mercy of the furiously
pounding Japanese guns on Corregidor, and his heroic spirit of
self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death enhanced and
sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country." |
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Page made 3 March 2002