Other Memories
Lambert George Hegerfeld was born on January 22, 1921, near the town of Elkton, South Dakota. He was born to Fred and Anna Hegerfeld. Lambert had two brothers, Harold and Marvin, and two sisters, Margaret and Arlene. He went to a country school, Parnell District #5, and completed his elementary grades. After finishing elementary school, Lambert went on to high school. He graduated from Elkton High School in 1939. Lambert was a Christian, baptized and confirmed in the Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church.
On July 21, 1942, Lambert George Hegerfeld went to the U.S. Navy Recruiting Station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to enlist in the navy. His training began at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. Here Lambert received his basic training. On December 28, 1942, he went on to an advanced training course at the U.S. Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island. Lambert requested assignment to a submarine after finishing his advanced training. His request was honored, and on February 26, 1943, he was sent to the Submarine School at the Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut.
When his training in submarines was completed on May 17, 1943, Lambert George Hegerfeld was assigned to the USS Republic, the USS Sperry, and the USS Pickerel. His last assignment was on the USS Gudgeon. On this assignment, he was given the rank of Torpedoman?s Mate Second Class. The submarine was stationed in the Pacific theatre of operations. The USS Gudgeon was first reported missing in late April of 1944. The official missing in action date is May 5, 1944. Reasons for the disappearance of the USS Gudgeon are unknown. It is presumed that the ship was lost during an unrecorded attack.
Navy Torpedoman?s Mate Second Class Lambert George Hegerfeld was reported missing in action to his family on June 7, 1944. The presumptive date of death of the crew members of the USS Gudgeon is January 15, 1946. Lambert?s name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. He also has a marker at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
After his death, Lambert George Hegerfeld?s parents received an Award of the Purple Heart with certificate; The World War II Victory Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal; and the Good Conduct Medal for their son?s services. Lambert also received the Sumarine Combat Insignia for his participation in the 10th war patrol of the USS Gudgeon. With it, was the following citation entered into Lambert?s service record:
?Hegerfeld performed his duty in a most efficient, loyal and devoted manner during the cruise of this vessel on her 10th war patrol during which 22,486 tones of enemy shipping was sunk or damaged.?
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Lambert George Hegerfeld was born on January 22, 1921, near the town of Elkton, South Dakota. He was born to Fred and Anna Hegerfeld. Lambert had two brothers, Harold and Marvin, and two sisters, Margaret and Arlene. He went to a country school, Parnell District #5, and completed his elementary grades. After finishing elementary school, Lambert went on to high school. He graduated from Elkton High School in 1939. Lambert was a Christian, baptized and confirmed in the Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church.
On July 21, 1942, Lambert George Hegerfeld went to the U.S. Navy Recruiting Station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to enlist in the navy. His training began at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. Here Lambert received his basic training. On December 28, 1942, he went on to an advanced training course at the U.S. Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island. Lambert requested assignment to a submarine after finishing his advanced training. His request was honored, and on February 26, 1943, he was sent to the Submarine School at the Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut.
When his training in submarines was completed on May 17, 1943, Lambert George Hegerfeld was assigned to the USS Republic, the USS Sperry, and the USS Pickerel. His last assignment was on the USS Gudgeon. On this assignment, he was given the rank of Torpedoman?s Mate Second Class. The submarine was stationed in the Pacific theatre of operations. The USS Gudgeon was first reported missing in late April of 1944. The official missing in action date is May 5, 1944. Reasons for the disappearance of the USS Gudgeon are unknown. It is presumed that the ship was lost during an unrecorded attack.
Navy Torpedoman?s Mate Second Class Lambert George Hegerfeld was reported missing in action to his family on June 7, 1944. The presumptive date of death of the crew members of the USS Gudgeon is January 15, 1946. Lambert?s name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. He also has a marker at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
After his death, Lambert George Hegerfeld?s parents received an Award of the Purple Heart with certificate; The World War II Victory Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal; and the Good Conduct Medal for their son?s services. Lambert also received the Sumarine Combat Insignia for his participation in the 10th war patrol of the USS Gudgeon. With it, was the following citation entered into Lambert?s service record:
?Hegerfeld performed his duty in a most efficient, loyal and devoted manner during
the cruise of this vessel on her 10th war patrol during which 22,486 tones of
enemy shipping was sunk or damaged.?