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Kenneth William Durant, the son of Solomon Raymond and Ida Minnie (Redemske) Durant, was born on 02 March 1919 in Algona, Kossuth County, Iowa. He enlisted in the Navy on
19 June 1940. After recruit training he was sent to Hospital Corpsman School, and was then assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Marine Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
In the November 1942 Matanikau Offensive, three Marine battalions trapped several hundred Japanese in a shrinking pocket west of Point Cruz. The final phase began on 03 November with an
attack by 2/5th Marines that drove north to the beach. In the desperate fight, several Marines were killed and the Japanese were annihilated. Pharmacist’s Mate Durant, a corpsman attached
to 2/5, was killed in action while going to the rescue of a badly wounded Marine. His body was buried along the beach trail west of the Matanikau River, along with four Marines from F/2/5.
Subsequent campaigning may have destroyed the grave site, as none of the remains have been accounted for.
CITATION: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Kenneth William Durant (NSN: 2661147), United
States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to the FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy forces during
an offensive in the Matanikau River area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 03 November 1942. Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Durant worked his way forward with the assault elements despite tremendous
hostile fire. After he had administered aid to numerous injured personnel, he halted at the command post in utter exhaustion until a Marine, fatally wounded about 15 yards to the front, called for
a corpsman. Unhesitatingly, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Durant rushed forward in the face of machine-gun and sniper fire and was killed before reaching the stricken man. His gallant actions and
selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
USS Durant (DE 389) (1943-1946, 1952-1954, 1956-1964) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
(Photo from the Find a Grave web site.) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE / FF / LCS
Archive Manager
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undated wartime image |
Russ Padden |
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undated wartime image |
David Buell |
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USS Durant (serving as WDE 489), 1952-1954 (USCG photo) |
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24 April 1956: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Cal. - Forward plan view of Durant, with Coast Guard hull paint job and most of her topside
being modified. (U.S. Navy photo #DER 389 29052-4-56) |
Darryl Baker
PNCM, USNR (ret.)
Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum |
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USCGC Durant (WDE 489) underway date and location unknown. She is shown painted in Coast Guard colors, white hull, and buff funnel with black
top. The heavy DE close-range armament was retained during her period of Coast Guard service. (Photos and text taken from "American Destroyer Escorts of World
War 2" by Peter Elliott) |
Bob Hurst
Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
England, United Kingdom |
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date and location unknown: USCGC Durant (WDE 489) underway. |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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16 November 1956: The Vallejo Times Herald - A photo of Lcdr Harry E. Carter, new commanding officer of USS Durant (DER 389) which appeared in
today’s issue of the paper. (U.S. Navy photo #DER 389 32278-11-56) |
Darryl Baker
PNCM, USNR (ret.)
Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum |
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November 1956: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Cal. - A view of Durant taken during her conversion to a DER. (U.S. Navy photo
#DER 389 32277-11-56) |
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22 November 1956: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Cal. - Forward plan view of Durant shortly before her recomissioning. (U.S. Navy
photo #DER 389 32278-11-56) |
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07 December 1956: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Cal. - Commissioning ceremonies aboard USS Durant (DER 389). The speaker is Capt.
George L. Shame; Commander, Mare Island Submarine Administration. The officer behind Capt. Shame are from left to right: Lt. R. D. Provost, Executive Officer; Lcdr. Harry E. Carter,
Commanding Officer and Radm. Martin J. Lawrence, Shipyard Commander. (U.S. Navy photo #DER 389 32463-12-56) |
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07 December 1956: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Cal. - Commissioning ceremonies aboard USS Durant (DER 389). (U.S. Navy photo
#DER 389 32465-12-56) |
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27 December 1956: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Cal. - Broadside view of Durant off Mare Island. She was converted at the Naval Shipyard
from 01 December 1955 to 31 January 1957. (U.S. Navy photo #DER 389 32616-12-) |
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date and location unknown: USS Durant (DER 389) underway. |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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20 March 1963: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - A lei is presented to USS Durant (DER 389), returning to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from Operation Deep Freeze.
(U.S. Naval Historical Center Naval Subjects Catalog #L45-80.03.01 from the Naval History and Heritage Command) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
