Kenneth W. Durant

Infobox Military Person
name = Kenneth W. Durant
born = birth date|1919|3|2
died = death date and age|1942|11|3|1919|3|2
placeofbirth = Algona, Iowa
placeofdeath = Guadalcanal


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1940 to 1942
rank = Pharmacist's Mate Third Class
branch = United States Navy
unit = Served with U.S. Marines
battles = World War II *Guadalcanal
awards = Silver Star medal (posthumous)

Kenneth W. Durant (born 2 March 1919 in Algona, Iowa) was a United States Navy sailor.

Navy career

"Durant" enlisted in the Navy 19 June 1940. He was killed in action on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 3 November 1942 serving with the U.S. Marines.

Awarded Silver Star

"Pharmacist's Mate Third Class" "Durant" was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for his devotion to duty in caring for the wounded and courage in facing machine gun and sniper fire in an attempt to rescue a wounded man.

Namesake

USS Durant (DE-389) was named in his honor. The ship was launched 3 August 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Texas; sponsored by Mrs. S. R. Durant, mother of "Pharmacist's Mate Durant"; and commissioned 16 November 1943, Lieutenant Commander C. C. Knapp, USCG, in command.

ee also

References

:DANFS
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d6/durant.htm Kenneth W. Durant]