Dwight Agnew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dwight Merle Agnew
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| Born | January 1, 1902 Fredericktown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | October 4, 1969 (aged 67) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Rank |  Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | Destroyer Squadron 10 (United States Atlantic Fleet) |
| Battles | World War II |
| Awards |  Navy Cross Bronze Star |
| Spouse(s) | Thelma Marie Agnew (née Biegler) |
Dwight Merle Agnew (born January 1, 1902 – died October 4, 1969) was a brave officer in the United States Navy. He came from Fredericktown, Ohio. During World War II, he commanded powerful destroyer ships. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. Later, he earned the Navy Cross award for his smart leadership during the Guadalcanal Campaign. After the war, he led a group of destroyers. He also worked for the National Security Agency. In 1956, he retired and became a Rear Admiral.
Agnew married Thelma Marie Biegler. Her father, George W. Biegler, was an United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Dwight Agnew was born in Fredericktown, Ohio, on January 1, 1902. His parents were Murray and Emma Louise Agnew. After finishing Fredericktown High School, he went to Denison University for a short time. Then, he joined the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1926. At that time, he became an ensign, which is a junior officer rank.
Serving Before World War II
Before World War II began, Agnew worked on several ships. These included the USS Gamble, USS Omaha, and USS Nevada. While he was on the Nevada, his team won a special award. They received the Trenchard Medal for being excellent at gunnery, which means shooting cannons accurately.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Many members of the Agnew family were stationed there. This included Dwight, his brother Henry, and their sisters and brothers-in-law. Dwight Agnew was the commanding officer of the USS Trever. This ship was a destroyer minesweeper.
Agnew was not on his ship when the attack started. But his junior officers quickly reacted. The USS Trever sounded an alarm at 7:57 AM. Seven minutes later, it began firing back at the Japanese planes. The ship successfully shot down two enemy aircraft. One plane was attacking the Pearl City Yacht Club. The other was trying to attack the ship itself.
Orders came to send all ships out to sea. Because of this, Agnew was left behind on another ship, the USS Wasmuth. The Trever left the harbor with another commander in charge. After the attack, the Wasmuth met up with the Trever. Agnew then rejoined his ship. The Trever's depth charges were ready to go. Agnew ordered a sweep of the harbor for magnetic mines. Then, the ship took a defensive position at the harbor's entrance. They were ready for a second attack, but it never happened.
A week later, on December 14, Agnew led the Trever in a rescue mission. They saved the crew and passengers of a Norwegian ship called the MS Høegh Merchant. A Japanese submarine had sunk this ship. It was trying to reach a safe port after the war started.
Leading Ships in World War II
In August 1942, Agnew was promoted to Captain. He continued to command the USS Trever. He earned the Navy Cross for his smart tactics during the Guadalcanal Campaign. His ship and the unit he led were attacked by three Japanese destroyers. Agnew fought his ships so well that none were badly damaged. They also had very few injuries to their crew. His ships hit one enemy destroyer several times, setting it on fire.
In 1943, Agnew moved to San Francisco, California. He oversaw the preparation of a new ship, the USS Heermann. He then commanded this ship in battles across the Pacific Ocean. For his actions, he received the Bronze Star Medal. In 1945, Agnew was given command of the attack transport USS Harry Lee. He led this ship during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
After the War
After World War II, Agnew had many different jobs in the Navy. He was a naval representative in Turkey. From January 1952 to February 1953, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 10. This group was part of the United States Atlantic Fleet. For the last three years of his military career, he worked at the National Security Agency. He retired in 1956 and was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. He passed away on October 4, 1969.
Personal Life and Family
In October 1929, Dwight Agnew married Thelma Marie Biegler. Her father was George W. Biegler, an Army officer. When World War II started, Thelma Agnew and their son, Dwight Agnew Jr., moved to San Diego. They stayed with Dwight Agnew's mother, who lived there.
Dwight's brother, Henry, also went to the U.S. Naval Academy. He taught at the academy and served on several ships during World War II. After the war, he commanded the USS Oglethorpe. Dwight's sisters were Dorothy and Elizabeth. Both of them married naval officers.
Images for kids
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Agnew received the Navy Cross for his command of the destroyer minesweeper USS Trever (pictured) during the Guadalcanal Campaign.
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Agnew's second command was the destroyer USS Heermann (pictured).
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During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Agnew commanded the attack transport USS Harry Lee (pictured).
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