From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

Leonard Roy Harmon, born 21 January 1917 at Cuero, Tex, enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Mess Attendant Third Class at Houston 10 June 1939. After training at Norfolk he reported to San Francisco for duty 28 October 1939. Advanced to Mess Attendant First Class, Harmon was killed in action aboard San Francisco during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal 12-13 November 1942. With disregard for his own safety Harmon rendered invaluable assistance to caring for the wounded and evacuating them to a dressing station. Harmon was hit while deliberately exposing himself to gunfire as he tried to protect a shipmate. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

(DE - 72: dp. 1,400; l. 306'; b. 37'; dr. 9'5"; s. 24 k.; cpl. 186; a. 3 3", 2 40mm., 8 20mm., 3 21" tt., 8 dcp., 1 dcp.(h.h.), 2 dct.; cl. Buckley)

Harmon (DE-72) was laid down by Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Inc., Hingham, Mass., 12 April 1943; assigned to the United Kingdom 10 June 1943; launched as Aylmer 10 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. E. M. Mackay; and transferred under lend-lease to the Royal Navy 30 September 1943. As one of the 78 "Captain" class destroyer escorts, she served as a British frigate during the remainder of World War II, patrolling the Atlantic and supporting the Allied invasion of Normandy. Following the war, she was returned to the custody of the U.S. Navy at New York 5 November 1945. She was sold to Mr. John J. Witto, Staten Island, N.Y., 20 June 1947, and scrapped in February 1948.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com)