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Killed in the Line of Duty Nov. 9th 1945


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I purchased this group from Mr Robert Wilson last month. I am happy to be the caretaker of Mr. Fondas Medals and to tell his story! The Purple Heart was added to the group at sometime, not considered official.

 

United States Navy Lieutenant Frederick Anthony Fonda (service #166245) was born Jan. 12th 1921 in Fiume, Italy. Fred was naturalized as an American Citizen on Nov. 24th 1931. He attended Linden High School & graduated June of 1939. Fred enrolled in Newark College of Engineering in Sept. of 1939, where he spent the next 3 years of his life while working for Davis Engineering Corp. as a draftsman during the summer months.

Fred was commissioned as an Ensign in the Naval Reserves on March 14th 1942 at the Headquarters 3rd Naval District, N.Y. during his junior year at Newark. Ensign Fonda graduated at the top third of his class with a Bachelors of Science Degree from Newark College on Jan. 15th 1943.

On March 1st 1943 Ensign Fonda reported to Naval Training School (Steam Engineering) Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. where he remained until he June 26 when he was transferred to the Atlantic Naval Operations Base, Norfolk, VA.

Ensign Fonda was transfer to the Destroyer U.S.S. Goldsborough on July 8th 1943. On Dec. 4th 1943, the U.S.S. Goldsborough sailed with the Core task group. Fonda was promoted to Lieutenant J.G. on April 1st 1944. Near midnight of Jan. 2nd 1944, she made visual contact with a surfaced U-Boat off the Azores, she fought through heavy seas in an attempt to ram amidships. She just missed the U-boat's stern as it slid under the sea. After two depth charge attacks, U.S.S. Goldsborough lost contact. LT. Fonda remained on the U.S.S. Goldsborough until Feb. 24th 1945 when he was detached to the 12th Naval District, San Fransisco, CA.

Lieutenant J.G. Fonda was detached from the 12th Naval District on March 14th 1945 to the Pacific Fleet Destroyers. From May 1st - May 7th LT. J.G. Fonda attended 20mm anti aircraft training school on Waianae, Oahu. On May 8th 1945 LT. J.G. Fonda was transferred the the Destroyer U.S.S. Greene in the Asiatic Pacific theater of war. The U.S.S. Greene commenced escort duties from Guam to Okinawa & stood anti submarine picket line off Okinawa until the fall of 1945. The U.S.S. Greene continued escort duties between Okinawa Saipan & the Philippines. After the war's end, she evacuated ex-prisoners of war from Nagasaki after that port had been razed by the second Atomic Bomb dropped on Japan.

The U.S.S. Greene's long career came to an end during Typhoon Louise on Oct. 9th 1945 at Okinawa. Winds in excess of 100 knots drove her aground on the northwest coast of Kutaka, damaging her beyond economic repair.

LT. J.G. Fonda was promoted to Lieutenant on Nov. 1st 1945 & on Nov. 9th 1945 LT. Fonda was the lead damage control officer in charge of a working party removing ammunition from the aft handling room of the U.S.S. Greene. Suddenly an unknown gas or fumes overtook the 4 men working in the magazine: Gunners Mate Clyde D. Sly, Gunners Mate Samuel H. Scheimer, Sonarman James M. Carbaugh, & Seaman Howard G. Vaverka. LT. Fonda immediately jumped into action and attempted to rescue the 4 men until he was also stricken down by the gas. Within a few minutes all the men were brought up to the main deck & received the best medical attention from the ships Doctor but non regained consciousness. LT. Fonda passed away at 4:12pm, his official cause of death was accidental asphyxiation due to oxygen deficiency. He was initially buried at the Island Command Cemetery, Okinawa at 11:00 a.m. Nov. 12th. 1945. His service was attended by 25 of LT. Fondas shipmates & friends.

Lieutenant Fonda & his men died in the line of duty not as a result of misconduct, he was recommended posthumously for Navy & Marine Corps Medal.

​ Part of his citation reads:

Lieutenant Fondas outstanding loyalty to his men & his devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others.

United States Navy Lieutenant Frederick Anthony Fonda was repatriate to Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Meyer, VA. His next of kin were issued his Navy & Marine Corps Medal on Oct, 9th 1946, his WWII Victory Medal Dec 16th 1946, & lastly his Asiatic Pacific Campaign with 1 Bronze Star on June 28th 1948.

 

 

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Is the PH unofficial because the death injury was not caused by a foreign combatant?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes he would never have been issued a Purple Heart. Either the family had it made or someone in the long past had it made to enhance the group. I dont think well ever really know why. The PH was on a ribbon crimp backing with a replacement ribbon drape and a welded round ring. I re-ribboned/brooched the PH with original materials.

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Thanks for posting this set.

 

The Purple Heart is very interesting in that the engraving format appears to be the same style and format as the Vietnam era USN and USMC named Killed in Action Purple Heart medals.

 

Perhaps someone at the Navy ordered it be awarded, for whatever reason?

 

What do others think? Dave, seen anything like it in your research?

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Er, a PH awarded for this kind of an accidental death and also 2 months after end of hostilities. ....... Very strange at least.

 

Can an expert shed any light on this.

 

Regards

Herman

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  • 2 years later...
MMcollector

I recently received a email from long lost family of Lt. Fonda’s in Italy that I would like to share.  She also sent me a family photo of Lt. Fonda with his Mom on April 8th 1945, nearly 7 months to the day before his passing.  

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A3ABC453-338F-4118-B821-AA9F5F778853.jpeg

C3E52049-BDB8-49A1-BA02-AED803A82C8C.jpeg

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manayunkman

Very interesting group and history.

 

Looks like the PH was stamped one digit at a time.

 

The letters and numbers pile up in a couple of places.

 

 

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