Always Remember Those Who Gave All: MC WW2 Gold Stars and MIA Survivors

Edward Ackerman (1915-1946)

MC Class: Ex-1938

Years at MC: 1934-1935 (Freshman)

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Life at MC: Swimming Team, Vice-President of Ohio Club, Honor Roll (2nd Semester, Freshman Year)

Military Branch: US Navy

Military Unit: USS Grayback (29 March 1941-24 January 1944); Submarine Division 62; USS Kete (20 February-11 March 1945)

Rank: Lt. Commander

Medals Awarded: Purple Heart (posthumous), Silver Star Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four operation stars, and the WW2 Victory Medal

Date Missing: 11 March 1945

Date of Death: 1 April 1946 (Presumed Deceased per Public Law 490, Section 5)

Location of Death: USS KETE (SS-369) (submarine) near Nansei Shoto Islands in Pacific Ocean

Circumstances of Death: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the USS KETE...during the Second War Patrol of that vessel, commencing March 11, 1945. Alert and aggressive as he navigated through waters surrounding Japanese ­controlled seas, Lieutenant Commander Ackerman conducted bold attacks against enemy merchant shipping despite severe hostile countermeasures and, by his superb ship-handling and his expert knowledge of submarine combat tactics, sent to the bottom three freighters totaling 12,000 tons. A brilliant and intrepid leader, (he) continued his daring offensive action until an overwhelming concentration of enemy surface vessels subjected his gallant craft to vicious counterattacks. His resolute determination, courageous conduct and unswerving devotion to duty served as an inspiration to the officers and men under his fearless command and upheld the highest traditions of the U. S. Naval Service." (From citation for his Gold Star in lieu of the Third Silver Star Medal)

Burial/Memorial Information: Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56113761/edward-ackerman)

Additional Information: A full biography of his military career can be found in the US Navy's Naval History and Heritage Command Modern Biographical Files in the Navy Department Library: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/modern-biographical-files-ndl/modern-bios-a/ackerman-edward.html

Additional Images:

1935 Maryville College Swimming Team: Ackerman is on the back row, sixth from left (next to Coach George Franklin Fischbach).

1935 Ohio Club (Ackerman is possibly first on left of front row seated on the ground)