World War II Honoree

Lloyd Edgar Acree

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Beggs, Oklahoma

Honored By

John Peterson

DURING THE NIGHT OF 11 TO 12 OCTOBER 1942, AN AMERICAN CRUISER-DESTROYER FORCE UNDER REAR ADMIRAL NORMAN SCOTT INTERCEPTED A CRUISER-DESTROYER BOMBARDMENT GROUP OFF CAPE ESPERANCE AND REPULSED THE ENEMY AFTER A FURIOUS NIGHT BATTLE. EARLY IN THE ACTION AN ENEMY SHELL BURST CLOSE ABOARD TO STARBOARD AND SPRAYED THE CRUISER WITH SHELL FRAGMENTS. HE WAS HOLDING A 5-INCH SHELL LOADING INTO NO. 3 GUN WHEN HE FELL TO THE DECK, SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN THE ABDOMEN. ALTHOUGH IN INTENSE PAIN, HE GALLANTLY CLUNG TO THE SHELL TO PREVENT ITS EXPLOSION. HE DIED A SHORT TIME LATER WHILE UNDERGOING EMERGENCY SURGERY. FOR HIS GREAT COURAGE AND OUTSTANDING DEVOTION TO DUTY, HE WAS AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS POSTHUMOUSLY. USS LLOYD E. ACREE DE-356 WAS NAMED IN HIS HONOR.