Theodore Herman Bearden

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart 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 U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.

Note 1.The death location, "Lost At Sea After the Sinking of the USS Gwin" is based on the following:

A. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Reports that S1C Theodore Herman Beardens Date of Loss was July 13, 1943 and he was assigned to the USS Gwin (DM-433), a Gleaves-class destroyer.
B. The American Battle Monuments Commision (ABMC) website lists S1C Bearden as Status: "Missing in Action" and is Memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery.

 On July 13, 1943 the USS Gwin (DD-433), operating near the Solomon Islands in the Pacific, received a torpedo hit amidships in her engine room and exploded. The destroyer USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390), took off Gwin's surviving crew after their damage control efforts failed and she had to be scuttled. Two officers and 59 men perished with the gallant destroyer, casualties of the Battle of Kolombangara. Gwin received five battle stars for her service in World War II.
USS Gwin photo above courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

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