Worth Bagley

Ensign Worth Bagley (April 6, 1874 – May 11, 1898) was a United States Navy officer during the Spanish-American War, distinguished as the only U.S. naval officer killed in action during that war.

Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, he graduated at the United States Naval Academy in 1895. After serving two years on the USS "Montgomery", "Texas", and "Maine", he was made ensign, July 1, 1897. In November he was appointed inspector of the new torpedo-boat "Winslow", and when she went into commission on Dec. 28, he was made her executive officer under Lieutenant J. B. Bernadou.

In April 1898, the "Winslow" was, with the fleet, mobilized for operations in Cuban waters. On the morning of May 11 the ship went with the "Hudson" and the "Wilmington" to force the entrance to the harbor of Cárdenas. She was fired upon by one of several Spanish gunboats, and immediately there was a general engagement. The "Winslow" was soon disabled, and was with difficulty hauled out of range of the Spanish guns. Just as the engagement ended, Ensign Bagley and four sailors were killed by a shell.

Namesakes

The first three USS "Bagley"'s, Torpedo Boat No. 24, Destroyer No. 185, and DD-386, were named for Ensign Worth Bagley. The fourth, DE-1069, honors both Worth Bagley and his brother, Admiral David W. Bagley.

ee also

References

From the 1901 "Encyclopaedia of United States History"
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b1/bagley-iii.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Bagley"]