USS SLC...Enlisted Navy...Harry B. Elam, Cox

Harry B. Elam passed away on December 29th, 2004

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July 22, 2005

Harry enlisted in the service on Dec. 9, 1940. He went to boot camp at Great Lakes. He served on the SLC from Feb. 25th, 1941 until Apr. 11, 1944.

He served 20 years in the US NAVY

Received the Letter of Commendation
SLC Deck Logs Aug. 1943  Oct. 1943
Harry attended the following SLC Reunions:   1975  1981  1983  1985  1989

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Harry B. Elam, S1c, U. S. Navy for service as set forth in the following Citation is awarded a Letter of Commendation.

"For meritorious conduct in a heavy cruiser during the engagement of the vessel against a superior enemy force off the _____. He was in charge of an after handling room and magazine crew. After about two and one-half hours of battle, the ammunition in his battery was almost exhausted. Orders had been given to transfer ammunition from the forward magazines for use in the after mounts. Still under fire and having to keep water-tight doors closed, congestion occurred in a compartment under which a shell hit had been received and the powder in that compartment was in danger. The men handling the powder were temporarily disorganized. Elam arrived and, although almost exhausted, he organized the men, removed the powder from danger, and stowed it below in record time with complete disregard of his own safety. This is considered one of the finest examples of spontaneous leadership. His conduct was at all times in keeping wit the highest traditions of the naval service."

s/ T. C. Kinkaid, Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Permanent Citation