World War II Honoree

Verl Monroe Purdom

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Naylor, Missouri

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.

TORPEDOMANS MATE THIRD CLASS PETTY OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS GRAMPUS (SS-207). DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART. USS GRAMPUS WAS MOST LIKELY SUNK IN ACTION ON MARCH 5, 1943 WHEN TWO JAPANESE DESTROYERS, THEMSELVES LOST 2 DAYS LATER, CONDUCTED AN ATTACK IN BLACKETT STRAIT, WHERE 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 DD. GRAMPUS WENT DOWN WITH 71 OFFICERS AND MEN.