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Photo # NH 94340:  Water Tender 2nd Class Elmer Charles Bigelow, USNR

Online Library of Selected Images:
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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.


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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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 3 March 2002