User:AcroDusterToo/sandbox/Ernest Elden Decker

Ernest Elden Decker Ernest Elden Decker (1913 – 1942) was a United States Navy officer who served in World War II. He was killed in action in the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Early Life Decker was born September 15 1913 in Portland, Maine. The son of insurance executive Ernest Elden Decker Sr. and Helen Briary (née Purington}.[1] His boyhood home still stands at 46 Lawn Avenue, Portland, Maine.[2]

Education He attended University of California, Berkeley from 1931 to 1934[3] enrolled in the College of Letters and Science and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In 1934 he was awarded Bachelor of Arts - Public Speaking [4]

Military Service Decker enlisted in the Naval Reserve September 14 1940. Lieutenant (junior grade) Decker was killed in action in the Solomon Islands September 5 1942 when his ship USS Gregory (APD-3)[5] was sunk in a night engagement with Japanese surface ships. Check Ref: Morison - History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Vol 5, The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942 – February 1943

Legacy In recognition of his sacrifice USS Decker (DE-47)[6] was named in his honor. ...