Date of birth:

April 28th, 1903 (Haines Falls/New York, United States)

Date of death:

November 30th, 1942 (Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal)

Nationality:

American

Richard Alexander Haines was born in Haines Falls, N.Y., 28th April 1903. He attended the Tennessee Military Institute from 1921-1923, the Naval Academy for a time, and served 3 years in the Coast Guard from 1928-1931. Commissioned Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve on 23rd July 1941. Haines served in Washington, after which he was assigned to the USS New Orleans. When the USS New Orleans suffered a devastating torpedo hit in the Battle of Tassafaronga, 30 November 1942, Lieutenant Haines remained at his station to assist in controlling the damage until overcome by asphyxiating gas generated by the explosion.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

• - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
  - Department of the Navy-- Naval Historical Center 805 Kidder Breese SE -- Washington Navy Yard Washington DC 20374-5060