Background
He was born in New York City on 19 January 1908.
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Patrick Walsh
Edit ProfileCareer
He accepted a commission in the United States Naval Reserve as a lieutenant, junior grade, on 4 May 1942. He received instruction at the Naval Training School, Boston, Massachusetts, and later received more specialized training at the Armed Guard School at Little Creek, Virginia, from 16 June 1942 to 22 July 1942. Walsh was Naval Armed Guard detachment commander aboard the merchant ship Steamship Patrick J. Hurley in the North Atlantic Ocean on the night of 12 September 1942 when the German submarine U-512 stealthily surfaced and closed Patrick J. Hurley.
Undetected, U-512 opened fire on Patrick J. Hurley with devastating effect.
Walsh fell severely wounded in the initial shelling, taking shrapnel in the throat. In spite of the withering German machine-gun fire directed at his battle station on Patrick J. Hurley"s bridge, Walsh remained at his post, though weak from loss of blood.
He died of his wounds. The United States. Navy destroyer escort United States Ship Walsh (Delaware-601) was named for Lieutenant, junior grade, Walsh.
She was converted during construction into the high-speed transport United States Ship Walsh (APD-111), and was in commission as such from 1945 to 1946.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
September 12, 1942 (aged 34) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
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Purple Heart; Silver Star For displaying selfless gallantry in battle, Walsh was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star posthumously. Silver Star Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.