Neldon Theo French
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| Neldon Theo French | |
|---|---|
| July 25, 1918 – October 9, 1942 (aged 24) | |
| Place of birth | Benton County, Tennessee |
| Place of death | Guadalcanal |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1940–1942 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Guadalcanal campaign |
| Awards | Navy Cross (posthumous) shared in the Presidential Unit Citation |
Neldon Theo French was born 25 July 1918 in Benton County, Tennessee.
Contents |
[edit] Marine Corps career
French enlisted in the Marine Corps 9 September 1940, and was killed in action 9 October 1942 on Guadalcanal.
[edit] Awarded the Navy Cross
Corporal French was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism in fighting to his death in a defensive post on the Matanikau River, and shared in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded his division for its superlative performance in the initial landings on Guadalcanal.
[edit] Namesake
USS French (DE-367) was named in his honor. She was launched 17 June 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas; sponsored by Mrs. Alma M. French, mother of Corporal French; and commissioned 9 October 1944, Lieutenant Commander T. K. Dunstan, USNR, in command.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
