Gravesite of Lt.(JG) Thomas E. Zellars -- Namesake of USS Zellers DD 777 - GHS 38-1 - Coweta Co. GA
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N 33° 14.175 W 084° 49.793
16S E 702200 N 3679577
Gravesite of Lt.(JG) Thomas E. Zellars -- Namesake of USS Zellers DD 777 historic marker located near the grave of Lt.(JG) Thomas E. Zellars, at the Grantville City Cemetery.
Waymark Code: WM5DNV
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 12/23/2008
Views: 17
Gravesite of Lt.(JG) Thomas E. Zellars -- Namesake of USS Zellers DD 777
Grantville native Thomas E. Zellars (1898-1924) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1920 and reported for duty aboard the USS Mississippi. As turret commander he rose to the rank of lieutenant. In 1924, an explosion and fire engulfed his turret. Zellars and 47 others were killed but not before he opened a flood valve on a burning powder train - an act that saved the ship and its crew. In 1944, Naval destroyer USS Zellars DD 777 was launched in Zellars honor. It went on to serve in both WW II and the Korean War receiving five battle stars. The ship was decommissioned in 1971.
Erected by The Georgia Historical Society and the City of Grantville.
Type of Marker: Highway
Marker #: GHS 38-1
Date: 1999
Sponsor: Georgia Historical Society and the City of Grantville.
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