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Alfred Naifeh- WWII Hero
- Alfred Naifeh was raised in Norman,
Okla., and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a law degree in
1940. Following graduation, he served as law clerk for Federal Judge Alfred
P. Murrah in Oklahoma City. World War II began and Naifeh received
commission as an ensign in the Supply Corps on July 5, 1941.
While serving on the USS MEREDITH in the Solomon Islands, the ship was
struck by a massive Japanese air raid and rapidly sunk. Naifeh, lieutenant,
junior grade, worked for two days and nights to locate his wounded shipmates
and place them aboard life rafts. On the third day, he died of exhaustion
after fighting off shark attacks and rescuing many shipmates. Naifeh was
posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Purple Heart
for his heroics.
In 1944, the USS NAIFEH was commissioned and began its career in convoy
duty. The ship was decommissioned in June 1946 and sat idle for four and a
half years in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. The USS NAIFEH was reinstated in
January 1951 to assist in the Korean Conflict. It was engaged in extensive
patrol, mine sweeping, ASW and shore bombardment activities.
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