Ellis Ray Newgent

BRANCH OF SERVICE
U.S. Navy

HOMETOWN
Orleans, IN

HONORED BY
Grateful American

ACTIVITY DURING WWII

ENLISTED ON 14 NOVEMBER 1939 AT CINCINNATI, OHIO. 1 MAY 1940 REPORTED ABOARD THE USS ASTORIA CA-34, A HEAVY CRUISER LEAD SHIP OF THE CLASS ASSIGNED TO THE PACIFIC FLEET. INVOLVED IN THE BATTLE OF CORAL SEA, BATTLE OF MIDWAY AND BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND. ON 9 AUGUST 1942, 01:50 JAPANESE FORCES FIRED A SALVO RIPPING INTO HER SUPERSTRUCTURE, TURNING INTO A INFERNO. THEY CONTINUED TO FIRE ON HER HITTING AT LEAST 65 TIMES. THE ASTORIA WAS LOST AT 12:16 P.M. RESCUE OPERATION WERE CONDUCTED BY USS BAGLEY DD-386, USS BUCHANAN DD-484, AND USS ALCHIBA AKA-6. DISCHARGED ON 19 NOVEMBER 1945 RATING OF MACHINIST'S MATE SECOND CLASS PETTY OFFICER.