Background
Healy was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1922.
Healy was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1922.
He died in action while trying to control torpedo damage to the vessel. After serving on various ships of the fleet and as an instructor at the Naval Academy, Healy commanded Dorsey (Doctor of Divinity-117) 1937–1939. After a tour at Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island, Commander
Healy reported 13 March 1941 as Damage Control Officer on board Lexington.
During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Lexington took two torpedoes and two bomb hits 8 May 1942, and despite heroic damage control could not be saved. Commander Healy died on board and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his courage, leadership, and professional excellence during the battle to save his ship.
Commander Healy perished at his battle station. Commander Healy lived at 236 Roswell Avenue, Long Beach, California at the time of his death.
In 1943, the destroyer United States Ship Healy (Doctor of Divinity-672) was named in his honor.
