Bausell DD- 845

Bausell

Born in Pulaski, Va., 17 April 1924, Lewis Kenneth Bausell enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1941. Corporal Bausell died from wounds received in action 15 December 1944 on Peleliu, Palau Islands, when with his own body he shielded his comrades from the blast of a Japanese hand grenade. Corporal Bausell was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

(DD-845: dp. 2425; 1. 390'6"; P. 40'10"; dr. 18'6"; s.
35 k.; cpl. 367; a. 6 5", 10 21" TT.;cl. Gearing)

Bausell (DD-845) was launched 19 November 1945 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. Lawrence K. Bausell, mother of Corporal Bausell;-commissioned 7 February 1946, Commander J. V. Bewick in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

Between 1946 and 1950 Bausell operated out of San Diego on fleet exercises and training, and completed two tours of the Far East. Between the outbreak of hostilities in Korea and the armistice, Bausell completed three tours with the 7th Fleet in the Far East (19 March-16 September 1951, 10 June-2 December 1952, and 30 September 1953-21 March 1954), participating in blockading, bombardment, and patrolling of Korea and contiguous areas in support of the United Nations forces.

Since 1954 Bausell has made two more tours of the Far East. During the first she operated with the 7th Fleet as a part of a fast carrier task force in support of the evacuation of the Tachen Islands (February 1955). Between Par Eastern tours she has conducted extensive type training exercises out of San Diego.

Bausell received three battle stars for her Korean service.