Owen Francis Hammerberg - Southfield, MI - Medal Of Honor Resting Places on Waymarking.com

OWEN FRANCIS HAMMERBERG

b. May 31, 1920 d. February 10, 1945

World War II Medal of Honor recipient. Served as Boatswain's Mate Second Class, Deep Sea Diver in the Pacific Fleet Salvage Force, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On February 10, 1945, during salvage operations in West Loch, Pearl Harbor 2 fellow drivers became trapped. Aware of the danger when the divers were hopelessly trapped in a cave-in of steel wreckage while tunneling under an LST sunk in 40 feet of water and 20 feet of mud, he went overboard in a valiant attempt to effect their rescue. He reached the first of the trapped men, freed him from the wreckage and continued desperately to save the second diver. Reaching the place above the other man just as another cave-in occurred, a heavy piece of steel pinned him crosswise over his shipmate. He stayed in a position to protect the man beneath from further injury until they were both rescued. Due to the full brunt of terrific pressure on himself, he succumbed 18 hours later. He received his Medal of Honor posthumously and it was accredited to the state of Michigan.

Plot: Sec 4, Lot 145, Grave 4 & 5

Armed Service: Navy

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