EDWIN W. HURST, LT, USN
Edwin Hurst '32
Lucky Bag
From the 1932 Lucky Bag:
EDWIN WILLIAM HURST
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
"Bus" "Rosy"
"What's the Capital of South Dakota, Mister?"
"South Dakota, why, sir—I don't believe it has a Capital."
Capital or no Capital, we know that Hurst hails from that good midwestern state of South Dakota, where the girls know nothing about battleships but are willing to learn.
Those girls are quite well educated now because Bus did his work very well while home on leave. That is one of his minor accomplishments. Back here he did much more, getting into the navy swing from the start and remaining up with the first section boys without undue effort.
Energy plus classifies Bus. He couldn't be content unless doing something whether it was playing basketball or lacrosse, making close harmony, or giving his usual smile and ever-flowing line to some fair femme. Lovely girls and good music never escaped his keen judgment. We know Bus as an agreeable roommate who furnished more than his share of the magazines, whose humor and pep kept things going.
Class Lacrosse; Lucky Bag Staff; Musical Clubs; Glee Club; Star; 3 Stripes.
EDWIN WILLIAM HURST
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
"Bus" "Rosy"
"What's the Capital of South Dakota, Mister?"
"South Dakota, why, sir—I don't believe it has a Capital."
Capital or no Capital, we know that Hurst hails from that good midwestern state of South Dakota, where the girls know nothing about battleships but are willing to learn.
Those girls are quite well educated now because Bus did his work very well while home on leave. That is one of his minor accomplishments. Back here he did much more, getting into the navy swing from the start and remaining up with the first section boys without undue effort.
Energy plus classifies Bus. He couldn't be content unless doing something whether it was playing basketball or lacrosse, making close harmony, or giving his usual smile and ever-flowing line to some fair femme. Lovely girls and good music never escaped his keen judgment. We know Bus as an agreeable roommate who furnished more than his share of the magazines, whose humor and pep kept things going.
Class Lacrosse; Lucky Bag Staff; Musical Clubs; Glee Club; Star; 3 Stripes.
Loss
Edwin was lost on June 9, 1942 when the B-17 he was aboard as a passenger "failed to gain altitude on takeoff from the airdrome at Whenuapai, Auckland, New Zealand for a flight to Laverton, Victoria, Australia. All eleven aboard died when the cargo of bombs detonated after the the plane had impacted the ground and caught fire."
He was officer in charge of a detachment of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2, part of what had been salvaged following the destruction of their ship, USS Lexington (CV 2), at the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Edwin was born in Falls City, Nebraska. In May 1924, he was a student at Emerson school in Sioux Falls and won a gold medal from the D. A. R. “For Excellence in American History.”
He graduated from Washington high school in 1928. In March, he was in the annual high school operetta “In Old Vienna.” He played Bumski, and classmate Sewell Sweeney played Rumski, the faithful sleuths of Captain Kinski who wore the military dress of the Austrian police service. They “pussy-footed their quiet way off and on the stage and were greeted with laughter at each appearance.” The Argus-Leader newspaper wrote: “Edwin Hurst is an efficient, ever enthusiastic member of Washington high school. He is secretary of the senior members of the Orange and Black staff.”
The next month, Edwin was general chairman of the senior prom and led the grand march with queen Jeanette Harris. On May 16, Edwin was one of seven senior boys who visited every teacher in the school to express the seniors’ appreciation and give them a copy of Van Dyke’s “The Unknown Teacher.”
Edwin was appointed to the Naval Academy by Senator Norbeck. He graduated No. 13 in his class. Along with his parents, his brother Frederick and friend Jeanette Harris attended the graduation exercises.
Jeanette and Edwin were married at the First Methodist church on February 8, 1935, in Pensacola. In January at her engagement party at the Chocolate Shop in Sioux Falls, miniature battleships on the table marked the places for the guests. Their son Edwin Knox Hurst, II, was born February 10, 1941.
When Edwin was promoted to lieutenant in March 1938, he was a member of the third bombing squadron. The Argus-Leader newspaper reported that he was killed on a secret mission. Edwin was originally buried on June 12 at Waikumete cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand.
When living in Falls City, Nebraska, his father Edwin K. was a high school principal. In Sioux Falls, he was president and general manager of the Western Material company which produced road builder equipment. He was elected chairman of the 1930 Sioux Falls Airfair. Edwin’s mother Edna died in 1924 after an operation. His stepmother was Sigrid.
From Wikipedia:
His family moved to Sioux Falls, SD when he was quite young and had his schooling in that city, He graduated from Sioux Falls High School in 1928 and received a congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD from which he graduated in 1932. In his First Class (Senior) year he was selected as the commander of the 2nd Company, one of only eight in the then-Regiment of Midshipmen.
After serving in USS Tennessee (BB 43) for two years, in 1934 he received orders to report to aviation flight training in Pensacola, FL. He earned his wings in 1935 and in that year he married the former Marian Jeannette Harris, also of Sioux Falls. He was then assigned to Scout Bombing Squadron 3 aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3). He was selected for the Naval Postgraduate School in 1939 and completed its course in Ordnance & Gunnery. In May 1941 he reported to Torpedo Squadron 2 aboard USS Lexington (CV-2) to assume the duties of executive officer.
He is mentioned a few times in TBD Devastator Units of the US Navy by Barrett Tillman.
His wife was listed as next of kin; he was also survived by his son, Edwin K. Hurst, II, USNA Class of 1962. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
From the Argus Leader on March 18, 1928
From the Argus Leader on February 10, 1935
From the Argus Leader on March 23, 1943
From the Argus Leader on March 23, 1943
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Edwin William Hurst, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Executive Officer of Torpedo Squadron TWO (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. In the face of tremendous anti-aircraft barrage and opposed by numerous fighters, Lieutenant Hurst pressed home two attacks on enemy aircraft carriers, one on 7 May and one on 8 May. With complete disregard for his own safety and expert conception of the task at hand, he scored hits within short range of his objectives, contributing to the destruction of one carrier and to damage and possible destruction of the other. His persistent determination and conscientious devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 307 (Oct 1942)
Action Date: May 7 & 8, 1942
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2)
Division: U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Edwin William Hurst, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight, while serving as Pilot of an airplane in Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces over enemy-controlled waters near Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea when on 10 March 1942, he flew one hundred and twenty-five miles over uncharted mountains and jungle to press home a successful torpedo attack against enemy ships, and, as a result of this attack, three enemy ships were sunk. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)
Action Date: 10-Mar-42
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2)
Division: U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)
Namesake
USS Hurst (DE 250) was named for Edwin; the ship was sponsored by his widow.
The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.
The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.
The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.
Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.
October 1932
January 1933
April 1933
July 1933
October 1933
April 1934
July 1934
LT James Craig '22
LTjg John Duke '26
LTjg Ralph Smith '26
LTjg Baylies Clark '30
ENS Charles Palmer, Sr. '31
ENS Lorenz Forbes '31
ENS Ford Wallace '31
October 1934
LTjg John Duke '26
LTjg Ralph Smith '26
LTjg Lorenz Forbes '31
LTjg Ford Wallace '31
LTjg William Freshour '31
LTjg Vernon Hain '31
January 1935
LT James Craig '22
LTjg John Duke '26
LTjg Ralph Smith '26
1LT Harold Bauer '30
LTjg Vernon Hain '31
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31
ENS Edward Allen '31
April 1935
LT James Craig '22
LTjg John Duke '26
LTjg Ralph Smith '26
LTjg Robert Coates '30
1LT Nicholas Pusel '30
1LT Harold Bauer '30
LTjg Vernon Hain '31
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31
ENS Edward Allen '31
October 1935
LT James Craig '22
LT Richard Moss '24
LTjg John Duke '26
1LT Ernest Pollock '28
LTjg William Pennewill '29
LTjg Robert Coates '30
1LT Nicholas Pusel '30
LTjg Gilbert Carpenter '30
LTjg Lance Massey '30
1LT Harold Bauer '30
January 1936
LCDR John Gillon '20 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LT Arnold Isbell '21 (Aircraft Squadrons)
LTjg Charles Signer '26 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Harold Richards '27 (Aircraft Squadrons)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Oliver White '30 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Edward Blessman '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
April 1936
LCDR John Gillon '20 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LT Arnold Isbell '21 (Aircraft Squadrons)
LTjg Charles Signer '26 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Harold Richards '27 (Aircraft Squadrons)
LTjg Loren Morris '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg James Murphy '31 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Edward Blessman '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
July 1936
LT Charles McDonald '24 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg William Pye, Jr. '28 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg John Collett '29 (Aircraft Squadrons)
LTjg Lloyd Greenamyer '29 (Aircraft Squadrons)
LTjg Finley Hall '29 (Aircraft Squadrons)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Edward Blessman '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg George Bellinger '32 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
ENS Wendell Froling '34 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
January 1937
LCDR John Gillon '20 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LT John Waldron '24 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LT William Pye, Jr. '28 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg John Collett '29 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Clarence Kasparek '32 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 4B)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg George Bellinger '32 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
April 1937
LCDR John Gillon '20 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 2B)
LT John Waldron '24 (USS Saratoga)
LT Leonard Southerland '27 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LT William Pye, Jr. '28 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg John Collett '29 (Torpedo Plane Squadron (VT) 2B)
LTjg Thomas Ashworth, Jr. '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
LTjg Clarence Kasparek '32 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 4B)
LTjg Albert Gates, Jr. '32 (USS Saratoga)
LTjg George Bellinger '32 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 6B)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
September 1937
LT John Waldron '24 (USS Saratoga)
LT Gerald Dyson '27 (USS Saratoga)
LT William Pye, Jr. '28 (Fighting Squadron (VF) 3)
ENS Maurice Fitzgerald '35 (USS Saratoga)
ENS Paul Riley '37 (USS Saratoga)
ENS William Mason, Jr. '37 (USS Saratoga)
January 1938
LT John Waldron '24 (USS Saratoga)
LT Gerald Dyson '27 (USS Saratoga)
LT William Pye, Jr. '28 (Fighting Squadron (VF) 3)
ENS Paul Riley '37 (USS Saratoga)
ENS William Mason, Jr. '37 (USS Saratoga)
July 1938
LT William Hobby, Jr. '23
LT Richard Baron '24
LT Harold Pound '25
LT William Graham, Jr. '25
LT Andrew Harris '25
LT Hilan Ebert '26
LT John Bermingham '29
LT Egbert Roth '29
LT Victor Gaulin '30
LTjg Russell Ross '30
LT John Bisson '30
January 1939
LCDR Robert Bedilion '22
LCDR William Hobby, Jr. '23
LT Richard Baron '24
LT Harold Pound '25
LT William Graham, Jr. '25
LT Andrew Harris '25
LT Hilan Ebert '26
LT John Bermingham '29
LT Egbert Roth '29
LT Victor Gaulin '30
LT Russell Ross '30
October 1939
June 1940
November 1940
April 1941
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