Frank Howard Shirley, Jr.
1939
General Science
He left Clemson after his first year to help his family.
Westminster, South Carolina
He was survived by his mother and two brothers, James A. Shirley and Raymond Shirley; and a sister, Margaret C. Shirley.
Navy, Fire Controlman First Class
The USS Walke
Purple Heart and WWII Victory Medal
May 10, 1918
Nov 16, 1942
KIA - Lost at sea in the Battle of Guadalcanal.
His name is on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Military Cemetery. There is also a memorial marker for him at Oconee Memorial Park, Seneca, SC.
NW
Personal Remembrances
Frank was born in 1918 in Westminster, SC, a son of Frank H. and Margaret W. Shirley. After graduating from Westminster High School, he entered Clemson in 1935, majoring in General Science, but left after one year to return to help his family. Frank enlisted in the Navy at the Naval Recruiting Station in Raleigh on August 24, 1939, entering military service ahead of most of his classmates. He was stationed at the Naval Training Station at Norfolk,VA, before being assigned as a Fire Controlman First Class to duty aboard the USS Walke, a Sims-class destroyer. The ship sank in the naval battle of Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal. Frank is memorialized in the Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio, Manila.
Frank was survived by his mother and two brothers, James A. Shirley and Raymond Shirley; and a sister, Margaret C. Shirley.
Frank was survived by his mother and two brothers, James A. Shirley and Raymond Shirley; and a sister, Margaret C. Shirley.
Biography written by James O, Sweeny, Clemson College Class of 1939.
Additional Information
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USS Walky (DD 416)