GRAYSTON BROWN ADDCOX was born on 18 Apr 1924 in Union, Union, New Jersey. He was the only child of Charles Jefferson Addcox. His mother's name is unknown. Grayston registered for the WWII draft on 30 June 1942 in Galveston, TX. He listed the person who would always know his address as Miss Grace Coles, Richmond Hill, Long Island, NY. Three weeks later he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve.
Electrician's Mate Third Class (EM3) Grayston Brown Addcox was called to active duty from the US Naval Reserve Station (V-6 (NSN:625-23-15)) in Galveston, TX on 25 July 1942 . He was detached from the Naval Operating Base" White Poppy" (Noumea, New Caledonia) on 14 Feb 1943. Later that day he reported for duty on board the USS Southern Seas (PY-32). He was detached from Southern Seas and transferred to the light cruiser, USS Helena (CL-50), on 27 Jun 1943. On the night of 5 July 1943, Helena moved into the Kula Gulf. The Battle of Kula Gulf began and ended quickly for her shortly after midnight. The Helena sank after being struck by three surface fired torpedoes, but not before she either sank or assisted in sinking four Japanese warships during the same battle. Almost 750 crewmen were saved. Unfortunately, Petty Officer Addcox was one of the 168 who perished when the ship sank in 22 minutes.
He was reported missing in action on 6 July 1943. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 10 Aug 1945.
Grayston Brown Addcox was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Battle Star, and World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Navy Combat Action Ribbon (Retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
His family received a commemoration from President Truman which reads:
In grateful memory of Grayston Brown Addcox, Electrician's Mate Third Class, who died in the service of his country at sea, off Guadalcanal, South Pacific, attached USS HELENA, 10 August 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives and through it, He lives in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
The Helena was the first ship in the US Navy to be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation (NUC).
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USS Helena (CL-50) Navy Unit Commendation citation reads:
"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces afloat in the Solomon Islands - New Georgia Areas. Gallantly carrying the fight to the enemy, the USS HELENA opened the night Battle of Cape Esperance on 11-12 October 1942 boldly sending her fire into the force of enemy warships, sinking a hostile destroyer and holding to a minimum the damage to our destroyers in the rear of the Task Force. She engaged at close quarters a superior force of hostile combatant ships in the Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of 12-13 November 1942, rallying our own forces after the Flag Ship had been disabled and contributing to the enemy's defeat. In her final engagement in the pre-dawn battle of 5-6 July 1943, the HELENA valiantly sailed down the restricted and submarine-infested waters of Kula Gulf under the terrific torpedo and gun fire of the enemy to bombard Kolombangara and New Georgia while covering the landing of our troops at Rice Anchorage, and twenty-four hours later, her blazing guns aided in the destruction of a vastly superior enemy naval force before she was fatally struck by Japanese torpedoes. Her brave record of combat achievement is evidence of the HELENA'S intrepidity and the heroic fighting spirit of her officers and men.
Bio sketch #397 compiled on 7 May 2019 by Gerry Lawton (G47)
Find A Grave Memorial Page #56748320
Hall of Honor Memorial Page #122109
Electrician's Mate Third Class (EM3) Grayston Brown Addcox was called to active duty from the US Naval Reserve Station (V-6 (NSN:625-23-15)) in Galveston, TX on 25 July 1942 . He was detached from the Naval Operating Base" White Poppy" (Noumea, New Caledonia) on 14 Feb 1943. Later that day he reported for duty on board the USS Southern Seas (PY-32). He was detached from Southern Seas and transferred to the light cruiser, USS Helena (CL-50), on 27 Jun 1943. On the night of 5 July 1943, Helena moved into the Kula Gulf. The Battle of Kula Gulf began and ended quickly for her shortly after midnight. The Helena sank after being struck by three surface fired torpedoes, but not before she either sank or assisted in sinking four Japanese warships during the same battle. Almost 750 crewmen were saved. Unfortunately, Petty Officer Addcox was one of the 168 who perished when the ship sank in 22 minutes.
He was reported missing in action on 6 July 1943. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 10 Aug 1945.
Grayston Brown Addcox was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Battle Star, and World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Navy Combat Action Ribbon (Retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
His family received a commemoration from President Truman which reads:
In grateful memory of Grayston Brown Addcox, Electrician's Mate Third Class, who died in the service of his country at sea, off Guadalcanal, South Pacific, attached USS HELENA, 10 August 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives and through it, He lives in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
The Helena was the first ship in the US Navy to be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation (NUC).
------------------------------------------------------------------
USS Helena (CL-50) Navy Unit Commendation citation reads:
"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces afloat in the Solomon Islands - New Georgia Areas. Gallantly carrying the fight to the enemy, the USS HELENA opened the night Battle of Cape Esperance on 11-12 October 1942 boldly sending her fire into the force of enemy warships, sinking a hostile destroyer and holding to a minimum the damage to our destroyers in the rear of the Task Force. She engaged at close quarters a superior force of hostile combatant ships in the Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of 12-13 November 1942, rallying our own forces after the Flag Ship had been disabled and contributing to the enemy's defeat. In her final engagement in the pre-dawn battle of 5-6 July 1943, the HELENA valiantly sailed down the restricted and submarine-infested waters of Kula Gulf under the terrific torpedo and gun fire of the enemy to bombard Kolombangara and New Georgia while covering the landing of our troops at Rice Anchorage, and twenty-four hours later, her blazing guns aided in the destruction of a vastly superior enemy naval force before she was fatally struck by Japanese torpedoes. Her brave record of combat achievement is evidence of the HELENA'S intrepidity and the heroic fighting spirit of her officers and men.
Bio sketch #397 compiled on 7 May 2019 by Gerry Lawton (G47)
Find A Grave Memorial Page #56748320
Hall of Honor Memorial Page #122109
GRAYSTON BROWN ADDCOX was born on 18 Apr 1924 in Union, Union, New Jersey. He was the only child of Charles Jefferson Addcox. His mother's name is unknown. Grayston registered for the WWII draft on 30 June 1942 in Galveston, TX. He listed the person who would always know his address as Miss Grace Coles, Richmond Hill, Long Island, NY. Three weeks later he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve.
Electrician's Mate Third Class (EM3) Grayston Brown Addcox was called to active duty from the US Naval Reserve Station (V-6 (NSN:625-23-15)) in Galveston, TX on 25 July 1942 . He was detached from the Naval Operating Base" White Poppy" (Noumea, New Caledonia) on 14 Feb 1943. Later that day he reported for duty on board the USS Southern Seas (PY-32). He was detached from Southern Seas and transferred to the light cruiser, USS Helena (CL-50), on 27 Jun 1943. On the night of 5 July 1943, Helena moved into the Kula Gulf. The Battle of Kula Gulf began and ended quickly for her shortly after midnight. The Helena sank after being struck by three surface fired torpedoes, but not before she either sank or assisted in sinking four Japanese warships during the same battle. Almost 750 crewmen were saved. Unfortunately, Petty Officer Addcox was one of the 168 who perished when the ship sank in 22 minutes.
He was reported missing in action on 6 July 1943. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 10 Aug 1945.
Grayston Brown Addcox was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Battle Star, and World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Navy Combat Action Ribbon (Retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
His family received a commemoration from President Truman which reads:
In grateful memory of Grayston Brown Addcox, Electrician's Mate Third Class, who died in the service of his country at sea, off Guadalcanal, South Pacific, attached USS HELENA, 10 August 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives and through it, He lives in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
The Helena was the first ship in the US Navy to be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation (NUC).
------------------------------------------------------------------
USS Helena (CL-50) Navy Unit Commendation citation reads:
"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces afloat in the Solomon Islands - New Georgia Areas. Gallantly carrying the fight to the enemy, the USS HELENA opened the night Battle of Cape Esperance on 11-12 October 1942 boldly sending her fire into the force of enemy warships, sinking a hostile destroyer and holding to a minimum the damage to our destroyers in the rear of the Task Force. She engaged at close quarters a superior force of hostile combatant ships in the Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of 12-13 November 1942, rallying our own forces after the Flag Ship had been disabled and contributing to the enemy's defeat. In her final engagement in the pre-dawn battle of 5-6 July 1943, the HELENA valiantly sailed down the restricted and submarine-infested waters of Kula Gulf under the terrific torpedo and gun fire of the enemy to bombard Kolombangara and New Georgia while covering the landing of our troops at Rice Anchorage, and twenty-four hours later, her blazing guns aided in the destruction of a vastly superior enemy naval force before she was fatally struck by Japanese torpedoes. Her brave record of combat achievement is evidence of the HELENA'S intrepidity and the heroic fighting spirit of her officers and men.
Bio sketch #397 compiled on 7 May 2019 by Gerry Lawton (G47)
Find A Grave Memorial Page #56748320
Hall of Honor Memorial Page #122109
Electrician's Mate Third Class (EM3) Grayston Brown Addcox was called to active duty from the US Naval Reserve Station (V-6 (NSN:625-23-15)) in Galveston, TX on 25 July 1942 . He was detached from the Naval Operating Base" White Poppy" (Noumea, New Caledonia) on 14 Feb 1943. Later that day he reported for duty on board the USS Southern Seas (PY-32). He was detached from Southern Seas and transferred to the light cruiser, USS Helena (CL-50), on 27 Jun 1943. On the night of 5 July 1943, Helena moved into the Kula Gulf. The Battle of Kula Gulf began and ended quickly for her shortly after midnight. The Helena sank after being struck by three surface fired torpedoes, but not before she either sank or assisted in sinking four Japanese warships during the same battle. Almost 750 crewmen were saved. Unfortunately, Petty Officer Addcox was one of the 168 who perished when the ship sank in 22 minutes.
He was reported missing in action on 6 July 1943. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 10 Aug 1945.
Grayston Brown Addcox was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Battle Star, and World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Navy Combat Action Ribbon (Retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
His family received a commemoration from President Truman which reads:
In grateful memory of Grayston Brown Addcox, Electrician's Mate Third Class, who died in the service of his country at sea, off Guadalcanal, South Pacific, attached USS HELENA, 10 August 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives and through it, He lives in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
The Helena was the first ship in the US Navy to be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation (NUC).
------------------------------------------------------------------
USS Helena (CL-50) Navy Unit Commendation citation reads:
"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces afloat in the Solomon Islands - New Georgia Areas. Gallantly carrying the fight to the enemy, the USS HELENA opened the night Battle of Cape Esperance on 11-12 October 1942 boldly sending her fire into the force of enemy warships, sinking a hostile destroyer and holding to a minimum the damage to our destroyers in the rear of the Task Force. She engaged at close quarters a superior force of hostile combatant ships in the Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of 12-13 November 1942, rallying our own forces after the Flag Ship had been disabled and contributing to the enemy's defeat. In her final engagement in the pre-dawn battle of 5-6 July 1943, the HELENA valiantly sailed down the restricted and submarine-infested waters of Kula Gulf under the terrific torpedo and gun fire of the enemy to bombard Kolombangara and New Georgia while covering the landing of our troops at Rice Anchorage, and twenty-four hours later, her blazing guns aided in the destruction of a vastly superior enemy naval force before she was fatally struck by Japanese torpedoes. Her brave record of combat achievement is evidence of the HELENA'S intrepidity and the heroic fighting spirit of her officers and men.
Bio sketch #397 compiled on 7 May 2019 by Gerry Lawton (G47)
Find A Grave Memorial Page #56748320
Hall of Honor Memorial Page #122109
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Entered the service from Texas.
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