Elmer Charles Bigelow
| Elmer Charles Bigelow | |
|---|---|
Watertender Second Class Elmer Charles Bigelow
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| Born |
July 12, 1920 Hebron, Illinois |
| Died | February 15, 1945 (aged 24) Manila Bay, Philippines |
| Place of burial | Linn-Hebron Cemetery Hebron, Illinois |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Naval Reserve |
| Years of service | 1942 – 1945 |
| Rank | Watertender First Class (posthumous) |
| Unit | USS Fletcher (DD-445) |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Elmer Charles Bigelow (July 12, 1920 – February 15, 1945) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Elmer Charles Bigelow was born in Hebron, Illinois, on July 12, 1920. He was the son of Albert Dewey Bigelow (son of Senaca and Isabelle Angeline (née Hamilton) Bigelow) and Verna Grabbert (daughter of Charles Grabbert and Minnie Puttresse who were both born in Germany). *(See: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=91266360)*
He enlisted in the Naval Reserve at Chicago, Illinois in September 1942 and received training at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, Illinois, and at Lawrence, Kansas, before being assigned as a Fireman Third Class on board the destroyer USS Fletcher (DD-445) in June 1943. While serving in that ship, he advanced in rate to watertender second class.
On February 14, 1945, Bigelow's actions averted tragedy on board the USS Fletcher. While assisting minesweeping operations prior to landings on Manila Bay's Corregidor Island, Fletcher was hit by an enemy shell which penetrated the No. 1 gun magazine, igniting several powder cases. Bigelow picked up a pair of fire extinguishers and rushed below in a resolute attempt to quell the raging flames. Refusing to waste the precious time required to don rescue-breathing apparatus, Bigelow plunged through the blinding smoke billowing out of the magazine hatch and dropped into the blazing compartment. Despite the acrid, burning powder smoke which seared his lungs, he succeeded in quickly extinguishing the fires and in cooling the cases and bulkheads, thereby preventing further damage to the ship. However Bigelow was badly injured and succumbed to his injuries the following day.
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