Kenneth Martin Willett
Encyclopedia
Lt. Kenneth Martin Willett was an American naval reserve officer who died in during World War II
in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
.
as an apprentice seaman on July 9, 1940. Appointed to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, he was commissioned as an Ensign
and assigned to the USS California (BB-44)
, where he served until November 1941. He then reported to the 12th Naval District for duty at the Armed Guard Center, San Francisco, California
, in January 1942. While serving as commanding officer
of the Naval Armed Guard on board the freighter
SS Stephen Hopkins
, he was promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.) on June 15.
, South Africa
to Paramaribo
, Dutch Guiana
, his freighter was attacked on September 27, 1942 by two enemy surface raiders. Though seriously wounded by one of the first enemy shells, Lt. Willett manned the 4-inch gun and fired shell after shell into the nearer, more heavily armed raider. Inflicting heavy damage on both enemy ships, his accurate fire eventually sank one of them. Even after an exploding magazine silenced his gun, Lt. Willett refused to give up his struggle for both ship and crew. When last seen, although weakened and suffering, he was helping to launch life rafts from the flaming freighter
in an effort to save lives. For his "great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice," Lt. Willett was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
.
USS Kenneth M. Willett
was named in his honor and launched on March 7, 1944 in Orange, Texas
. It was sponsored by Mrs. D.C. Willett, mother of Lt. Willett, and commissioned in July 1944 with Lt. Cmdr. J.M. Stuart in command.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
.
Early naval career
Willett enlisted in the Naval ReserveUnited States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
as an apprentice seaman on July 9, 1940. Appointed to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, he was commissioned as an Ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
and assigned to the USS California (BB-44)
USS California (BB-44)
USS California , a Tennessee-class battleship, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 31st state. Beginning as the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, she served in the Pacific her entire career. She was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor at her moorings in Battleship Row,...
, where he served until November 1941. He then reported to the 12th Naval District for duty at the Armed Guard Center, San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, in January 1942. While serving as commanding officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of the Naval Armed Guard on board the freighter
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
SS Stephen Hopkins
SS Stephen Hopkins
The SS Stephen Hopkins was a United States Merchant Marine Liberty ship that served in World War II. She was the first US ship to sink a German surface combatant during the war....
, he was promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.) on June 15.
Death
While en route from Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
to Paramaribo
Paramaribo
Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on banks of the Suriname River in the Paramaribo District. Paramaribo has a population of roughly 250,000 people, more than half of Suriname's population...
, Dutch Guiana
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
, his freighter was attacked on September 27, 1942 by two enemy surface raiders. Though seriously wounded by one of the first enemy shells, Lt. Willett manned the 4-inch gun and fired shell after shell into the nearer, more heavily armed raider. Inflicting heavy damage on both enemy ships, his accurate fire eventually sank one of them. Even after an exploding magazine silenced his gun, Lt. Willett refused to give up his struggle for both ship and crew. When last seen, although weakened and suffering, he was helping to launch life rafts from the flaming freighter
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
in an effort to save lives. For his "great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice," Lt. Willett was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
.
Namesake
The destroyer escortDestroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
USS Kenneth M. Willett
USS Kenneth M. Willett (DE-354)
USS Kenneth M. Willett was a acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket....
was named in his honor and launched on March 7, 1944 in Orange, Texas
Orange, Texas
Orange is a city in Orange County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 18,643. It is the county seat of Orange County, and is the easternmost city in Texas. Located on the Sabine River at the border with Louisiana, it is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur...
. It was sponsored by Mrs. D.C. Willett, mother of Lt. Willett, and commissioned in July 1944 with Lt. Cmdr. J.M. Stuart in command.