Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By And/Or Copyright
0602001a 0602001b	37k 158k	Louis Marcel LeHardy Jr., the son of Louis Marcel LeHardy Sr. and Julia Miller, was born 18 February 1905 in Savannah, Ga. Upon graduation from the U. S. Naval Academy, he was commissioned as ensign on 03 June 1926. He later served as Communications Aide to the President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Before, during and following the attack on Pearl Harbor on 07 December 1941, he commanded the destroyer minesweeper USS Zane (DMS 14) until 01 May 1942. While he was later serving as Director of Communications for the SW Pacific Command under Adm. Ghormley, he was promoted to lieutenant commander on 01 April 1943. Adm. Callaghan asked him to join the CTF staff aboard USS San Francisco (CA 38) in the Fall of 1942 as Communications Officer for the Task Force. Lieutenant Commander LeHardy was on the bridge of San Francisco on the night of 12-13 November 1942. He was killed in action during the Naval Battle for Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942 and buried at sea somewhere in Indispensable Straits on the afternoon of 13 November 1942. He posthumously received the Navy Cross for his valor in the Battle of Guadalcanal. The citation reads: "The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Louis Marcel LeHardy, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Communications Officer on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA38), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island on the night of 12 - 13 November, 1942. On this occasion the force to which Lieutenant Commander LeHardy was attached engaged at close quarters and defeated a superior enemy force, inflicting heavy damage upon them and preventing the accomplishment of their intended mission. This daring and intrepid attack, brilliantly executed, led to a great victory for his country's forces. By his indomitable fighting spirit, expert seamanship, and gallant devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander LeHardy contributed largely to the success of the battle and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." USS LeHardy (DE 20) (1943-1945) was the first ship to be named in his honor. (Upper photo from the Naval Academy Yearbook, The Lucky Bag, 1926) (Lower photo from GENI, A My Heritage Company)		Mike Smolinski Clifton, N.J. Archive Manager DE / FF / LCS Archive Navsource
0602009	189k	21 November 1942: Mare Island Navy Yard - Bow of the future HMS Duff (BDE 20) just prior to her launching. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7155-42)		Candi L. Barr (Parker) granddaughter of the sponsor, in honor of her grandparents
0602002	128k	21 November 1942: The distinguished guests at the launching of the future HMS Duff (BDE 20) at Mare Island. From left to right: Mrs. Virginia Connell, Mrs. W. L. Friedell, Capt. F. G. Crisp USN, Mrs. F. G. Crisp, Mr. Bert A. Barr, Mrs. Lena Guernsey, Capt G. P. Shamer, SC USN, Mrs. Bert A. Barr (Sponsor), Radm W. L. Friedell, Shipyard Commandant, and Mrs. A. Barr (Matron of Honor). (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7170-42)		Darryl Baker PNCM, USNR (ret.) Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
0602003	89k	21 November 1942: The Christening Party for the HMS Duff. From left to right: Capt. F. G. Crisp, Mr. Bert A. Barr, Mrs. Bert A. Barr (Sponsor), Radm W. L. Friedell, Shipyard Commandant, and Mrs. A. Barr (Matron of Honor). (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7161-42)
0602010	89k	21 November 1942: Mare Island NSY - Mrs. Bert A. Barr, Sponsor of the launching of the future HMS Duff (BDE 20), receives the christening bottle from Radm. W. L. Friedell Commandant of Mare Island Navy Yard prior to her launching. Left to right: Mrs. Bert A. Barr (Sponsor), Mrs. A. Barr (Matron of Honor), Mr. Bert A. Barr, Radm Friedell and Capt. F. G. Crisp. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7167-42)		Candi L. Barr (Parker) granddaughter of the sponsor, in honor of her grandparents
0602011	95k	21 November 1942: Mare Island NSY - Mrs. Bert A. Barr (Sponsor) and Mrs. A. Barr (Matron of Honor) are pictured at the bow of the future HMS Duff (BDE 20) prior to the launching of ship. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7168-42)
0602012	114k	21 November 1942: Mare Island NSY - Mrs. Bert A. Barr (Sponsor) is pictured at the bow of the future HMS Duff (BDE 20) prior to the launching of ship. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7169-42)
0602004	119k	21 November 1942: Mrs. Bert A. Barr, Sponsor is seen christening the future HMS Duff (BDE 20). Others pictured are from left to right: Capt. F. G. Crisp, Mrs. Bert A. Barr (Sponsor), Radm W. L. Friedell, Shipyard Commandant, and Mrs. A. Barr (Matron of Honor). (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7160-42)		Darryl Baker PNCM, USNR (ret.) Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
0602013	149k	21 November 1942: Mare Island NSY - the future HMS Duff (BDE 20) is halfway down the building ways. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7170-42)		Candi L. Barr (Parker) granddaughter of the sponsor, in honor of her grandparents
0602014	157k	21 November 1942: Mare Island NSY - the future HMS Duff at the end of the building ways. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7177-42)
0602005	71k	21 November 1942: Broadside view of the future HMS Duff after her launching. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-7178-42)		Darryl Baker PNCM, USNR (ret.) Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
0602015	168k	07 July 1943: at Mare Island Naval Shipyard		Pieter Bakels Wehl, The Netherlands
0602008	101k	07 July 1943: LeHardy underway off Mare Island. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-4951-43)		Darryl Baker PNCM, USNR (ret.) Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
0602017	505k	07 July 1943: LeHardy underway in the Mare Island Channel. (U.S. Navy photo #DE-20-4955-43)
0602006	103k	05 April 1945		Jody Gibian-Miles daughter of crewmember Sanford N. Gibian
0602007	95k
0602016	513k	05 April 1945: Bremerton, Wash. - USS LeHardy (DE 20) underway in Puget Sound. (U.S. Navy Photograph #NH 81340, courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1974, from the collections of the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command)		Randy Stiegler
0602018	686k	05 April 1945: Bremerton, Wash. - These photos were in the possession of Randy's father, James Bernhardt Stiegler, who served in USS LeHardy (DE 20). He reported aboard on 10 February 1945 as a Seaman 2c from the USNTAD Center in Shoemaker, Cal. On 01 October 1945 he was promoted to Seaman 1c. On 25 October 1945 he departed LeHardy for the Receiving Station at Terminal Island, Cal. and discharge.

Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has
been made to list the newest contact. However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list
only a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists, rosters, or deck logs available. Please see the
Frequently Asked Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.

Additional Resources

---

Tin Can Sailors
The U.S. Navy Memorial
The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
The Destroyer History Foundation

---

To The DE, FF, LCS Photo Index Page

Back To The Main Photo Index

Comments, Suggestions, E-mail: Webmaster.

This Page Created And Maintained By Mike Smolinski by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved. Page Last Updated: 10 April 2024