This Fallen Navy Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Fallen profile please click
HERE
Casualty Info
Home Town Syracuse, NY
Last Address 129 Randall Ave Syracuse, NY
Casualty Date Feb 16, 1945
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Woodlawn Cemetery - Syracuse, New York
The first known presence of Navy activity in the Solomons area occurred in 1927 by the US Shipping Board, later known as the Maritime Commission. The US Shipping Board used the southern portion of what is currently known as NRC Solomons, including Third Cove, as anchorage for interned German ships from World War One (NDW Public Works Center, 2003).
The Navy established the Solomons Complex in 1941, with the Naval Ordnance Laboratory (NOL) as the first occupant. Activities at NOL included research on magnetic, electric, and acoustic countermine testing (NAVFACWASH, 2009c). Later, the Navy established the Naval Mine Warfare Test Station to support research, development, and testing of Navy mine warfare and countermeasures. The Navy continued development on the installation with the establishment of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory Test Facility (NOLTF) in 1947. The NOLTF conducted high and low altitude aircraft drops (primarily mines), torpedo shots in the river, and other explosive tests in mine warfare until 1950. From 1948 to 1950, the Navy acquired additional buildings and open space to create the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, which conducted research and development of amphibious equipment. Torpedo work was phased out in 1958 and the torpedo shop was converted into amphibious assembly areas (NAVFACWASH,
2009a).
As a result of an assessment of the installation in 1967, NDW recommended that the land could serve two purposes. NOLTF could continue to operate in the southern part of the installation as an industrial site, while the remaining property could serve as a recreation area. In 1969, the Navy began to convert the northern portion of the installation to a recreational facility for eligible current, retired, and reserve military personnel, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, family members, and guests, and in 1971 NRC Solomons was officially dedicated. In the 1970s, NOLTF underwent several reorganizations and was eventually deactivated in 1982 due to a reduced workload and impacts to local commercial fisheries. Today, the industrial area supports the Naval Mine Warfare Test Station (NMWTS) and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for Naval Air Systems Command Support Equipment Facility (NAVAIR SEFAC)
(NAVFACWASH, 2009c; NAVFACWASH, 2009a).
