PERSONAL PROFILES
LT(jg) Herold A. Harveson
A USS UTAH DEC. 7TH CASUALTY
USS Harveson
DE/DER-316 (Edsall Class)USS HARVESON (DE-316) was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Tex., 9 March 1943; launched 22 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. T. L. Herlong, mother of LT(jg) Herold A. Harveson for whom the ship was named.
Herold Aloysius Harveson, born 7 August 1913 at Lake Charles, La., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy 3 June 1937. After serving in Louisville and on the staff of the Pacific Fleet Scouting Force, Lt. (j.g.) Harveson was assigned to Utah 19 August 1941. Operating out of Pearl Harbor, the aged ex-battleship, converted to a target ship, served the fleet as the major antiaircraft training ship, as well as a key to developing carrier air-to-ship attack tactics. During the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941, the Japanese launched two aerial torpedoes at the USS Utah (AG16). Both torpedoes struck the port side of the Utah. She had overturned and sunk by 0812. Like so many of her crew, Lt. Harveson gave his life in the opening moments of the war and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
[Ed. note: The above info was collected from various sources. In the interest of historical accuracy the following info was received from Daniel Herlong, Capt. USN (Ret.), brother of LT(jg) Harveson: "This is from my memory, and I know I never had all the details, but: I know that Herold's first ship was the LOUISVILLE. I did not know of his having staff duty, but he did spend some time in USS CHICAGO before receiving orders to USS UTAH. Capt. Herlong further states "---, that Herold was recommended for the Navy Cross, but I know that the reward he received was the Purple Heart."
Regarding the correct spelling of LT(JG) Harveson's name, Capt. Herlong stated:
"Herold Aloysius Harveson is the correct spelling according to Navy records and LA National Guard record, in which he served as a corporal before entering the Navy, as well as civil documents and family records."
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