Max Silverstein

Max Silverstein
Born	February 15, 1911(1911-02-15) Chicago, Illinois
Died	May 7, 1942(1942-05-07) (aged 31) at sea, Coral Sea
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1932-1942
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	USS Sims (DD-409)
Battles/wars	Battle of the Coral Sea
Awards	Silver Star

Max Silverstein was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 15, 1911.

Navy career

Silverstein was appointed midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy on June 18, 1928. He was commissioned ensign on June 2, 1932 and went to sea in USS Chester (CA-27) on the 26th as an aircraft gunnery observer.

He was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on June 2, 1935 and subsequently served in lieutenant on March 13, 1940, later changed to date from August 1, 1939, Lt. Silverstein reported for duty as Engineer and Damage Control Officer in USS Sims (DD-409).

Awarded the Silver Cross

On May 7, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Sims came under aerial attack. Though knocked unconscious by the first bomb, Lt. Silverstein quickly recovered and “coolly directed the securing of the boilers, the jettisoning of topside weights to preserve stability and the preparations for repairs to save the vessel from sinking.” Lt. Silverstein died soon thereafter when Sims sank. For “his relentless determination and inspiring heroism . . . ,” Lt. Silverstein was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal.

Namesake

Silverstein (DE-534) was laid down on October 8, 1943 at the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts; launched on November 8, 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Ruth B. Silverstein; and commissioned on July 14, 1944, Lt. Comdr. F.A. Reece, Jr., USNR, in command.

See also

	United States Navy portal
	World War II portal

References

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

• Max Silverstein

Persondata
Name	Silverstein, Max
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 15, 1911
Place of birth	Chicago, Illinois
Date of death	May 7, 1942
Place of death	at sea, Coral Sea