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Profile: Louis W. Freedman

USS Luckenbach at an English port after the October 19, 1917 attack. (Source: Naval History and Heritage Command)

Louis W. Freedman was an Ensign in the Navy during World War I. In 1917, he was stationed on the USS J.L. Luckenbach when it came under attack. He acted quickly to make sure communication continued between his ship and other Navy ships coming to their defense. He was later awarded the Navy Cross. Freedman’s citation reads as followed:

“For distinguished and gallant conduct as radio operator of the USS Luckenback on the occasion of an encounter with an enemy submarine on October 19, 1917. The radio antennae having been carried away by bursting shrapnel from the enemy. Freedman repaired this under fire and continued to maintain communication with the USS Nicholson until that vessel arrived and compelled the submarine to submerge.”

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