World War II Honoree

Eugene Lee Wagstaff

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Salt Lake City, Utah

Honored By

Lawrence E. Wagstaff

Relationship

Son

SERVED ABOARD THE USS UNDERHILL, DESTROYER ESCORT 682, WHICH WAS BLOWN IN HALF BY JAPANESE SUICIDE SUBS (KAITENS) IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN NEAR OKINAWA, ON JULY 24, 1945. THIS WAS ONLY 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE END OF THE WAR. HE WAS IN THE REAR ENGINE ROOM AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION, WHICH FORTUNATELY FOR HIM WAS WITHIN THE HALF OF THE SHIP THAT REMAINED AFLOAT. ALTHOUGH SEVERELY INJURED HIMSELF, HE MANAGED TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A FELLOW SAILOR. HE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART. TRAGICALLY, 112 OF HIS FELLOW SHIPMATES LOST THEIR LIVES, THAT DAY.