Howard R. Healy

Commander Howard R. Healy (28 March 1899 – 8 May 1942) was an officer of the United States Navy who distinguished himself on board the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He died in action while trying to control torpedo damage to the vessel.

Biography

Healy was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts^[1] and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1922. After serving on various ships of the fleet and as an instructor at the Naval Academy, Healy commanded Dorsey (DD-117) 1937–1939.

After a tour at Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., Comdr. Healy reported 13 March 1941 as Damage Control Officer on board Lexington. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Lexington took two torpedoes and two bomb hits 8 May 1942, and despite heroic damage control could not be saved.

Commander Healy died on board and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his courage, leadership, and professional excellence during the battle to save his ship. Commander Healy perished at his battle station.

Commander Healy lived at 236 Roswell Avenue, Long Beach, California at the time of his death.^[2]

Namesake

In 1943, the destroyer USS Healy (DD-672) was named in his honor.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• Hoehling, A. A. (1971). The Lexington Goes Down. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. ISBN 0-13-535252-5.