Harvey Emerson Oswald

Harvey Emerson Oswald, born in Columbus, Ohio, September 11, 1918, enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in April 1938. Discharged from the reserve at his own request August 3, 1939, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy the same day.

Navy career
Assigned the following December to USS William B. Preston (DD-344) as a Machinist Mate, Second Class, he was killed when that ship came under Japanese aerial attack at Darwin, Australia, February 19, 1942.

Awarded Silver Star
For his prompt and courageous manning of a .50 caliber PBY airplane machine gun, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Namesake
USS Oswald (DE-767) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down April 1, 1943 at the Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida; launched April 25, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Zola F. Oswald, mother of Harvey E. Oswald, MM2/c; and commissioned June 12, 1944.