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As the leaders and veterans alike gather to observe the inaugural flag raising ceremony at the National World War I Memorial in Washington on April 16, the crew of one Military Sealift Command ship will commemorate the service of a Medal of Honor recipient from the same conflict.
USNS Gunnery Sgt. Fred W. Stockham (T-AK 3017) is named for a Detroit native who helped save the lives of several fellow Marines. During World War I, Stockham was assigned to 96th Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2d Division. On June 13-14, 1918, his company came under “intense enemy bombardment” at Bois-de-Belleau, according to his Medal of Honor citation.
When Stockham, realized a fellow Marine’s gas mask had been shot away, he immediately gave his own gas mask to the wounded man – and several others – to mitigate the effects of mustard gas.
“He continued with undaunted courage and valor to direct and assist in the evacuation of the wounded, until he himself collapsed from the effects of gas, dying as a result thereof a few days later,” reads the Medal of Honor citation.
“His courageous conduct undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades, and his conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to all who served with him.”
Stockham died in France less than a week after the attack. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously Dec. 21, 1939.
According to the ship’s sponsor, Kitty Crenshaw, Stockham was an orphan who had no known family at the time of his death.
“I was thrilled when I was asked to be the sponsor of this ship,” she said during the commissioning ceremony in Jacksonville, Florida, in July 2001.
“Having known the indescribable joy and privilege of being an adoptive mother, I immediately adopted this great soldier of the Great War into my heart and memory forever.”
For the last several years, the World War I Centennial Commission has worked to ensure the memory of Stockham and other World War I veterans endures.
“It is time to honor the heroism and sacrifice of the 4.7 million American sons and daughters who served in WWI,” according to the commission’s website.
“World War I remains America’s forgotten war, even though more Americans gave their lives during that war than during Korea and Vietnam combined, and even though it profoundly shaped the rest of ‘the American century.'"
The Military Sealift Command ship named for the heroic marine is part of Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3. It provides U.S. Marines strategic seabasing and prepositioning capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific Region.
“Gunnery Sgt. Stockham’s undaunted heroism inspires us every day,” said Capt. Christopher Sharik, master of the ship.
“Every member of the crew is proud to continue Gunnery Sgt. Stockham’s legacy of unwavering dedication, selfless service, and mission accomplishment.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2021 10:31 |
| Story ID: | 393582 |
| Location: | U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, As Nation Salutes WWI Veterans at Memorial, Ship's Crew Salutes Namesake’s Heroism, by Leslie Hull-Ryde, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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