Howard R. Healy
Encyclopedia
Commander Howard R. Healy (28 March 1899 – 8 May 1942) was an officer of the United States Navy
who distinguished himself on board the aircraft carrier Lexington
(CV-2) during the Battle of the Coral Sea
. He died in action while trying to control torpedo damage to the vessel.
and graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1922. After serving on various ships of the fleet and as an instructor at the Naval Academy, Healy commanded Dorsey
(DD-117) 1937–1939.
After a tour at Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., Comdr. Healy reported 13 March 1941 as Damage Control Officer on board Lexington. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Lexington took two torpedo
es and two bomb hits 8 May 1942, and despite heroic damage control could not be saved.
Commander Healy died on board and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star
for his courage, leadership, and professional excellence during the battle to save his ship. Commander Healy perished at his battle station.
Commander Healy lived at 236 Roswell Avenue, Long Beach, California
at the time of his death.
USS Healy
(DD-672) was named in his honor.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who distinguished himself on board the aircraft carrier Lexington
USS Lexington (CV-2)
USS Lexington , nicknamed the "Gray Lady" or "Lady Lex," was an early aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. She was the lead ship of the , though her sister ship was commissioned a month earlier...
(CV-2) during the Battle of the Coral Sea
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...
. He died in action while trying to control torpedo damage to the vessel.
Biography
Healy was born in Chelsea, MassachusettsChelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. It is the smallest city in Massachusetts in land area, and the 26th most densely populated incorporated place in the country.-History:...
and graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1922. After serving on various ships of the fleet and as an instructor at the Naval Academy, Healy commanded Dorsey
USS Dorsey (DD-117)
USS Dorsey was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I. She was named for John Dorsey.Dorsey was launched 9 April 1918 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; sponsored by Mrs. A. Means, distant relative of Midshipman Dorsey; and commissioned 16...
(DD-117) 1937–1939.
After a tour at Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., Comdr. Healy reported 13 March 1941 as Damage Control Officer on board Lexington. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Lexington took two torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
es and two bomb hits 8 May 1942, and despite heroic damage control could not be saved.
Commander Healy died on board and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for his courage, leadership, and professional excellence during the battle to save his ship. Commander Healy perished at his battle station.
Commander Healy lived at 236 Roswell Avenue, Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
at the time of his death.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyerDestroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Healy
USS Healy (DD-672)
USS Healy was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Commander Howard R. Healy who had distinguished himself on board during the Battle of the Coral Sea....
(DD-672) was named in his honor.