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Lawrence H. Erwin

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Birth	:	1915 Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA
Death	:	15 Nov 1942 Philippines
Burial	:	Rosewood Cemetery, Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate	:	37.8088989, -80.4317017
Plot	:	Cenotaph
Description	:	He is the son of John P and Katherine Hedrick Erwin. He had an older brother named James and an older sister name Louise. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Charleston, West Virginia on 16 Mar 1942. After his basic naval training, he was then assigned to the Battleship-USS South Dakota (BB57) on 23 May, 1942 and participating in Naval Operations against the Japanese in the South Pacific. The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal took place from 11–15 November 1942, and was the decisive engagement in a series of naval battles between the United States and Imperial Japanese forces during the... Read More	He is the son of John P and Katherine Hedrick Erwin. He had an older brother named James and an older sister name Louise. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Charleston, West Virginia on 16 Mar 1942. After his basic naval training, he was then assigned to the Battleship-USS South Dakota (BB57) on 23 May, 1942 and participating in Naval Operations against the Japanese in the South Pacific. The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal took place from 11–15 November 1942, and was the decisive engagement in a series of naval battles between the United States and Imperial Japanese forces during the months-long Guadalcanal campaign in the Solomon Islands during World War II. The action consisted of combined air and sea engagements over four days, most near Guadalcanal and all related to a Japanese effort to reinforce land forces on the island. The only two U.S. Navy admirals to be killed in a surface engagement in the war were lost in this battle. On 14 November, Admiral Kondo's forces were divided into three sections: the bombardment group, a close screen of the Japanese cruiser Nagara and six destroyers, and in the van a distant screen composed of the cruiser Sendai and three destroyers. A quarter moon assured good visibility. At a range of 18,100 yd (16,600 m) three of the leading Japanese ships were visually sighted from the bridge of South Dakota. The USS Washington fired on the lead ship, thought to be a battleship or heavy cruiser. A minute later, the South Dakota's main battery opened fire on the ship nearest to her. Both initial salvos struck and started fires on the respective targets. The South Dakota then fired on a second target, and continued firing until it disappeared from her radar. Turret No. 3 then began firing over her stern on another target, demolishing her own aircraft in the process. Firing continued until the target was thought to be sunk. Meanwhile, the South Dakotas secondary 5 inch batteries were engaged-firing upon some eight destroyers that lay close to the shore of Savo Island. A short lull followed after the radar plot showed four enemy ships, just clear of the left tangent of Savo. They were approaching from the starboard bow at a range of 5,800 yards (5,300 m). Searchlights from the second ship in the enemy column illuminated the South Dakota. The Washington opened with her main battery on the leading, and largest, Japanese ship. South Dakota's secondary batteries put out the lights, and she shifted all batteries to bear on the third ship, believed to be a cruiser, which soon gushed smoke. That night, an error in engine room switchboards left the South Dakota powerless: without her radars, she no longer had a grasp on the complicated tactical situation. The South Dakota, under fire from at least three ships, took 42 hits, causing considerable damage. Her radio communications failed, radar plot was demolished, three fire control radars were damaged, there was a fire in her foremast, and she had lost track of Washington. As she was no longer receiving enemy fire and there were no remaining targets, she withdrew, met Washington at a prearranged rendezvous, and proceeded to Nouméa. Of the American destroyers, only Gwin returned to port; the other three had been severely damaged early in the engagement: Walke and Preston were sunk, and Benham had part of her bow blown off by a torpedo, and, while en route to Nouméa with the damaged Gwin as her escort, had to be abandoned. Gwin then sank her by gunfire. On the Japanese side, hits had been scored on Takao and Atago (both survived); Kirishima and the destroyer Ayanami were both severely damaged by gunfire, and were abandoned and scuttled. During this engagement, The South Dakota was hit many times by battleship and cruiser shells, but only about 3 of the explosions were of a high order. The enemy was shooting high, which resulted in many overs, but there was also a great deal of damage to the foremast structure. Radars, directors, fire-control instruments, and other valuable installations, including TBS, were put out of action. A 6-inch shell smashed into Radar Plot, demolishing it. Another shell immediately followed and landed in almost the identical spot. There were other hits and some fires in the Battle II area. Five fuel oil compartments were ruptured. Thirty men were killed and 60 wounded. It was during this engagement that MM2 Erwin was listed as missing-presumed killed in action-probability that he was buried at sea. His name appears on the Tablets of the Missing, in the Manila American Cemetery, Manila Philippines. MM2 Erwin received the Purple Heart Medal posthumously. Note: Entered the service from West Virginia.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Lawrence H. Erwin's memorial?
Lawrence H. Erwin's memorial is located at: Rosewood Cemetery, Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA.
When did Lawrence H. Erwin death?
Lawrence H. Erwin death on 15 Nov 1942 in Philippines
Where are the coordinates of the Lawrence H. Erwin's memorial?
Latitude: 37.8088989
Longitude: -80.4317017

Family Members:

Parent

John Price Erwin

(1881 - 1958)

Sabina Katherine Hedrick Erwin

(1886 - 1973)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Rosewood Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8088989, -80.4317017

2. Lewisburg-Bolling Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8066720, -80.4410330

3. Old Stone Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8011017, -80.4483032

4. Bright Memorial Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8138300, -80.4501150

5. African Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8014290, -80.4493470

6. Confederate Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8018913, -80.4517288

7. Greenbrier Memorial Gardens
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7888985, -80.4244003

8. Hefner Family Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7889300, -80.4120150

9. Mabry Family Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8122870, -80.3899320

10. Rodgers Cemetery
Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8029290, -80.4748250

11. Honaker Cemetery
Caldwell, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7742240, -80.4264550

12. Coffman Hill Cemetery
Caldwell, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7706420, -80.4135480

13. Wilson Family Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8205010, -80.4825210

14. Welsh Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7884810, -80.4816230

15. Lewisburg Community Church Cemetery
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8437710, -80.3876320

16. Lewis Family Burial Ground
Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8097760, -80.4965300

17. Yancy Cemetery
Caldwell, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7719327, -80.3856072

18. Holly Family Burial Ground
Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8006790, -80.4994790

19. Hedrick Burial Ground
Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7998420, -80.5030070

20. Tuckwiller Cemetery
Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7860100, -80.4990900

21. Price Family Burial Ground
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8609140, -80.4692820

22. Stuart Burying Ground
Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7679960, -80.4971830

23. Roach Cemetery
Fort Spring, Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8238810, -80.5134240

24. Bunger Mill Cemetery
Greenbrier County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8501650, -80.4978450