LEWIS E. PENNELL, ENS, USN

Lewis Pennell '43

Date of birth: February 23, 1921

Date of death: November 13, 1942

Age: 21

Lucky Bag

From the 1943 Lucky Bag:

LEWIS EDWARD PENNELL

Columbia, South Carolina

"Lewie" is a southerner of the old school who spent a good part of his life at the academy correcting the widespread misconception that Charleston is the capital of South Carolina. His inherent southern hospitality found an outlet in the Reception Committee over the weekends. Week day afternoons were not complete without their round of bridge or game of handball, but the varied activities of the Boat Club could make him forget either. Evenings found him occupied with the Log or the Stamp Club. In spite of his extra-curricular activities and a propensity for Amazing Stories he still found time to star.

The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

LEWIS EDWARD PENNELL

Columbia, South Carolina

"Lewie" is a southerner of the old school who spent a good part of his life at the academy correcting the widespread misconception that Charleston is the capital of South Carolina. His inherent southern hospitality found an outlet in the Reception Committee over the weekends. Week day afternoons were not complete without their round of bridge or game of handball, but the varied activities of the Boat Club could make him forget either. Evenings found him occupied with the Log or the Stamp Club. In spite of his extra-curricular activities and a propensity for Amazing Stories he still found time to star.

The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Lewis was lost when USS Monssen (DD 436) was sunk on November 13, 1942 at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. His parents were listed as next of kin.

From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":

Lewie was born on 23 February, 1921 in Belton, South Carolina. He was appointed from South Carolina and entered the Academy on 28 June, 1939. After graduation, he reported to the destroyer USS MONSSEN in the South Pacific. He arrived in time to participate in the fire support for the Guadalcanal Invasion in August, the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August and his last battle, the Third Battle of Salvo Island on Friday, 13 November, 1942. The MONSSEN with her fire control radar inoperative, entered the night battle at a disadvantage. At the height of the battle, she was firing torpedoes at a Japanese battleship to starboard, five inch guns at an enemy cruiser to port and her 40MM guns at a Japanese destroyer about 500 yards away. MONSSEN was suddenly illuminated by star shells which were instantly followed by a deadly rain of shells that left the ship a total wreck of searing flames. A few survived but not Lewie. He wore the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with two bronze stars. He was survived by his father, Mr. Brone Fred Pennell, who lived at 1408 Fairview Drive, Columbia, South Carolina when Lewie was killed.

Class of 1943

Lewis is one of 84 members of the Class of 1943 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of the alumni in Memorial Hall.