From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lawrence A. Tatum
Lawrence A. Tatum
Laurice Aldridge Tatum as that aircraft carrier and Hornet (CV-8) were covering
the movement of reinforcements from Espiritu Santo to
Born December 7, 1894(1894-12-07) Guadalcanal. When Wasp was torpedoed by a Japanese
Chambers County, Alabama
submarine, Lt. Comdr. Tatum was among those trapped
Died September 15, 1942(1942-09-15) in the carrier’s forecastle, cut off from the rest of the
(aged 47) ship by raging flames. Rather than trying to save himself
Buried at At sea by jumping overboard, Tatum remained in the carrier to
aid and comfort the wounded. He apparently went down
Allegiance United States of America with the ship when she sank. For his "gallant and intre-
Service/branch United States Naval Reserve pid conduct," Lt. Comdr. Tatum was awarded the Silver
Star Medal posthumously.
Years of 1917–1919, 1928–1942
service
Rank Lieutenant Commander Namesake
Unit USS Wasp (CV-7)
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS Tatum (DE-789) was
named in his honor.
Awards Silver Star
Laurice Aldridge Tatum (7 December 1894 – 15 Septem- See also
ber 1942) was a dentist and officer of the United States
Navy during World War II. References
Biography Persondata
Name Tatum, Laurice
Tatum was born on 7 December 1894 in Chambers Coun-
Alternative names
ty, Alabama. He enlisted in the Navy at Atlanta, Georgia,
on 29 June 1917 as a hospital apprentice. Following train- Short description
ing at San Francisco, he served at the Naval Hospital in Date of birth 7 December 1894
Fort Lyon, Colorado, and in the receiving ship at Norfolk,
Place of birth Chambers County, Alabama
Virginia. On 15 October 1918, he was transferred to USS
Alabama (Battleship No. 8), in which he served until 28 Date of death 15 September 1942
May 1919. Pharmacist’s Mate 2d Class Tatum completed Place of death
his enlistment at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia and
was honorably discharged at Atlanta, Ga., on 18 August
1919.
During the ensuing nine years, he attended Atlanta
Southern Dental College, Atlanta, Ga., and received his
degree as a doctor of dental surgery. On 9 August 1928,
Dr. Tatum was appointed an assistant dental surgeon in
the United States Naval Reserve.
Late in August 1940, Lieutenant Commander Tatum
reported to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va., for active du-
ty. He was serving in Wasp (CV-7) on 15 September 1942,
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lawrence_A._Tatum&oldid=437953895"
Categories:
• 1894 births
• 1942 deaths
• United States Navy officers
• Recipients of the Silver Star
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lawrence A. Tatum
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