World War II Honoree

Walter Kent Wilson Bathgate

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Rutherford, New Jersey

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.

Relationship

Shipmates

CHIEF TORPEDOMAN'S MATE. KILLED IN ACTION WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS GRAMPUS SS-207. DECORATIONS: BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART. USS GRAMPUS WAS MOST LIKELY SUNK IN ACTION ON MARCH 5, 1943. TWO JAPANESE DESTROYERS, THEMSELVES LOST TWO DAYS LATER, CONDUCTED AN ATTACK IN BLACKETT STRAIT. A HEAVY OIL SLICK WAS SIGHTED THE FOLLOWING DAY, INDICATING THAT GRAMPUS MAY HAVE BEEN LOST THERE IN A NIGHT ATTACK OR GUN BATTLE AGAINST THE DESTROYERS. THE GRAMPUS WENT DOWN WITH SEVENTY-ONE OFFICERS AND MEN.