Forrest Oren Rednour (1922 - 1943)

Born 13 May 1922 in Cutler, Perry, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Died 13 Jun 1943 at age 21 in North Atlantic Ocean

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Biography

Petty Officer Second Class Forrest Rednour was lost at sea during World War II.

Forrest Rednour served in the United States Coast Guard in World War II
Service started: 19 Jun 1941
Unit(s): WPG-77 Escanaba
Service ended: 13 Jun 1943

Forrest was born in 1922. He passed away at sea off Greenland 13 June 1943 when the United States Coast Guard vessel Escanaba exploded during convoy escort duty. Forrest was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroic action during the Dorchester rescue operations of 3 February 1943 as a rescue swimmer.

For heroic conduct while aboard USCGC Escanaba during the rescue of survivors from the torpedoed USAT Dorchester in North Atlantic waters on 3 February 1943. Despite possible enemy submarine action, Rednour risked his life in the black and icy waters to aid in the rescue of unconscious and helpless survivors. Realizing the danger of being crushed between the rafts and the ship’s side or of being struck by a propeller blade if the engines backed, he swam in under the counter of the constantly maneuvering Escanaba and prevented many floating survivors from being caught in the suction of the screws, in one instance retrieving a loading raft. Rednour’s gallant and voluntary action in subjecting himself to pounding seas and bitter cold for nearly four hours contributed to the rescue of 145 persons and his courageous disregard for his own personal safety in a situation of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Two vessels USS Rednour (APD-102) and USCGC Forrest Rednour (WPC-1129) have been named in his honor.

Purple Heart

World War II Victory Medal

Research Notes

The Wikipedia article for the USS Rednour states that the ship was sponsored by Mrs. Forrest O. Rednour. The identity and marriage certificate for Mrs. Rednour is not known. The identity of his mother is known only as Bertha. Kuntz-859 14:23, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

Sources

• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW1B-VC3 : 26 January 2020), Forrest Rednour in household of Bertha Adams, Ward 37, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 103-2311, sheet 61A, line 16, family 91, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 995.

See also

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Escanaba_(WPG-77)
• Wikipedia: Forrest O Rednour
• Find A Grave: Memorial #18297685
• Find A Grave: Memorial #107948111
• Wikidata: Item Q5470496, en:Wikipedia
• Wikipedia:SS Dorchester