FRED B. CANNON, JR., ENS, USNR

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Fred Cannon, Jr., USNR '40 was only at the Naval Academy for 9 months prior to his resignation. He returned home to West Virginia, and by 1940 was working at the Federal Security Agency, Social Security Board in Clarksburg, WV. A tall and skinny young man -- his draft registration lists him as 6' tall, 140 lbs -- he was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve sometime before April 1942.

On June 10, 1942 he left aboard USS Mizar, a contracted stores ship, with task force 39, centered around USS Wasp (CV 7). At some point in the next three months he moved to WASP; he was aboard that ship when she was torpedoed on September 15, 1942. One hundred ninety two of Fred's shipmates died when WASP sank, including five other alumni.

Fred was survived by his parents.

His photograph was only recently discovered by volunteer researcher Kathy Franz.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/FRED_B._CANNON,_JR.,_ENS,_USNR

EDWARD E. DEGARMO, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Edward DeGarmo '40 in the Lucky Bag: "When he isn't holding bunk drill, you can find him playing bridge (his favorite indoor and outdoor sport), dragging, reading, working cross-words, or doing a little private jitter-bugging to some hot tune by T. Dorsey. The ability to turn a hopelessly lost debate into apparent victory by resort to a technical point not even remotely connected with the subject is his outstanding characteristic. A typical, smooth-talking son of Ohio, Ed (the walking dictionary) has been a friend to all, always ready to do or try anything. We wish him luck in the Service and hope to be as good shipmates as we have been pals and roommates."

Ed began his service aboard USS Enterprise, but it's unclear what his wartime experience was prior to early 1945. From at least February to June, however, he was the commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 82 aboard USS Bennington (CV 20). During these four short months he was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, and four Distinguished Flying Crosses. His squadron participated in the destruction of the battleship Yamato and her escorts. Twice in one day he led raids over Tokyo.

On June 3, 1945, Ed was shot down and severely injured by antiaircraft fire over Okinawa while flying a resupply mission to forward Marines.

He was survived by his wife, to whom he was engaged in 1942.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_E._DEGARMO,_LCDR,_USN

THOMAS P. MCGRATH, LCDR, USN

LCDR Thomas McGrath, USN '40 in the Lucky Bag: "From the sands of Arizona "Tiny" came to the Navy ready for a scrap. Generally as gentle as a St. Bernard, nothing suits him better on the gridiron than a fight. Tom is ambitious in both athletics and academics. Plebe year it was shadow boxing his roommate, the "Shadow;" second class year, playing with a sixteen pound ball. Tiny is kind-hearted, generous, and always ready to render aid to his classmates. Claiming he is always losing weight, he diets on four desserts. A regulation fellow, well-liked, and respected by all, the Navy has in him no better material for a leader, an officer, and a gentleman."

He was the Regimental Commander for both the 2nd and 3rd sets.

Initially stationed aboard USS California (BB 44), sometime after April 1941 he transitioned into the submarine service.

He was lost when USS Pompano (SS 181) was sunk, likely on September 17, 1943, possibly by a mine north of the Japanese islands. Thomas was the boat's executive officer, and was awarded the Silver Star for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action" during the boat's three war patrols.

Thomas was survived by his parents.

http://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/THOMAS_P._MCGRATH,_LCDR,_USN

WILLARD A. SAMPSON, LCDR, USN

LCDR Willard Sampson, USN '40 was lost 70 years ago today — the day before his 34th birthday — when the aircraft he was piloting crashed in Huddleston, Virginia. From the Lucky Bag: "The eternal ray of sunshine — no matter how tarnished that hypothetical silver lining may be, it never evades Sam. With this same optimism he treats studies lightly, even when in the shadow of the most ominous of academic eight-balls. Sam is a conscientious swimmer, and a strong arm of the Navy team, upon which a will to win and a rugged physique have earned him a well deserved berth. With his affable personality and ever present sense of humor, Sambo will always have many sincere friends, and his career, in following the footsteps of his brother in the service, is bound to be a happy one. You have made us mighty proud of you, Sammy."

Twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Commander Sampson was a carrier fighter pilot during the war and commanded Fighting Squadron 83 on board the carrier Essex. His duty assignment at the time of his death was with the Piloted Aircraft Division, Bureau of Aeronautics.

He was survived by his wife, Jean, and their girls, Jean, 7 and Helen, 5.

http://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLARD_A._SAMPSON,_LCDR,_USN

EDWARD E. DEGARMO, LCDR, USN

LCDR Edward Degarmo '40 in the Lucky Bag: "When he isn't holding bunk drill, you can find him playing bridge (his favorite indoor and outdoor sport), dragging, reading, working cross-words, or doing a little private jitter-bugging to some hot tune by T. Dorsey. The ability to turn a hopelessly lost debate into apparent victory by resort to a technical point not even remotely connected with the subject is his outstanding characteristic. A typical, smooth-talking son of Ohio, Ed (the walking dictionary) has been a friend to all, always ready to do or try anything. We wish him luck in the Service and hope to be as good shipmates as we have been pals and roommates."

Edward was lost on June 6, 1945 when his airplane was shot down near Okinawa.

He was commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 82.

He was awarded the Navy Cross for his "extraordinary heroism" and "inspiring leadership."

He was awarded two Silver Stars for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action".

He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses for "heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight."

He was survived by his wife, Beatrice, and is buried in California.

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_E._DEGARMO,_LCDR,_USN

ULMONT I. WHITEHEAD, JR., ENS, USN

Ulmont Whitehead ‘40 was a prior enlisted sailor, pride of Hartford, Connecticut, and a Naval Academy football star. 

“Years of exacting labor have failed to submerge Whitey into the drudgery of tedious detail. He dreams of the day to be when he will be able to carry out his ideas — ideas that will prove exceedingly beneficial to all those to whom they may be applied. He meets every situation with a determination and whole-heartedness that sees it successfully through to the end, realizing that to completely enjoy one's life, one must live it. Meeting each reverse with more than enough energy to turn it to victory, Whitey will soon be pushing himself to his rightful position of prominence at the top of the heap.”

Ulmont was killed on the morning of December 7th, 1941 when his ship, USS Arizona (BB 39), was destroyed at Pearl Harbor.

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ULMONT_I._WHITEHEAD,_JR.,_ENS,_USN