Kenneth Hart Muir was born July 25, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York.
Contents |
Muir enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve September 23, 1940 to serve as apprentice seaman until he was appointed midshipman February 14, 1941.
He died in action as officer in charge of the U.S. Armed Guard on board SS Nathaniel Hawthorne, sunk in the Caribbean November 7, 1942 by U-508. Although severely wounded, he “ordered the three men near him to leap clear...and then rushed back to help more...to escape. He was still urging his gunners over the side when the ship went down.” For his outstanding courage and unselfish devotion to his men, Lieutenant (jg.) Muir was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross.
USS Muir (DE-770) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida, June 1, 1943; launched June 4, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Witten H. McConnochie, sister of the late Lieutenant (jg.) Muir; and commissioned August 30, 1944, Lt. Comdr. Theodore A. O’Gorman, USNR, in command.