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Hyman, Willford Milton

Date of birth:
August 16th, 1901
Date of death:
May 7th, 1942
Mentioned on:
American Cemetery and Memorial Manila
Nationality:
American

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
U.S.S. Sims (DD-409), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
April 1943
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. SIMS (DD-409), during operations in the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. Lieutenant Hyman skillfully warded off the first raid of a hostile aircraft attack on his vessel and the ship which it was escorting, and, in the second raid, when the Sims lay dead and crippled in the water, he kept her guns blazing away until the last Japanese plane had disappeared. Then he coolly directed salvage and repair operations until the bridge of the sinking vessel was completely awash and he went down into the sea. The conduct of Lieutenant Hyman throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (posthumously awarded)
Navy Cross
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
U.S.S. Sims (DD-409), U.S. Navy
Purple Heart

Sources