James F. Kiernan
James Francis Kiernan was born on October 8th, 1919 to James Francis Kiernan and Ruth Elmira Seidel in New York City. He was the older brother of Ruth. On Sept. 28, 1931, Jimmy's father James Sr. died. In high school he played football and was in the math club. Jimmy graduated Teaneck High School, Class of '38. He moved to New York City after graduating. Although his dream was to be involved in aviation, when he enlisted it was into the Navy. He enlisted in May 24th, 1939 in NYC. After basic training, Jimmy was assigned to the U.S.S. Manley. The ship was practicing landing exercises on both American Coasts to prepare for Pacific Fleet duty. On February 2nd,1942 there was an accident aboard the Destroyer. Jimmy was brought to the nearest hospital in Virginia. After seven days, on February 9th, Jimmy hemorrhaged. At 6:07 PM, Machinist's Mate Second Class Kiernan was pronounced dead. His remains were sent to New York, where they were buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
He was the first graduate in Teaneck High to be killed. Sadly, the first of many.
WWII Scrapbook
High School Yearbook
fold3.com (Historical Military Records)
- Muster Roll of the Crew - U.S.S. Manley, 12/31/1939
- Report of Changes - U.S.S. Manley, 8/31/1940
- Muster Roll of the Crew - U.S.S. Manley, 3/31/1941
- Report of Changes - U.S.S. Manley, 2/2/1942
Ancestry.com
- New York, New York, Birth Index, 1879-1909 (father, James F. Kiernan)
- 1900 United States Federal Census (father, James F. Kiernan)
- U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (father, James F. Kiernan)
- New York, New York, Marriage Index 1866-1937 (parents, James F. Kiernan & Ruth Seidel)
- New York, State Census, 1925
- 1930 United States Federal Census
- New York, New York, Death Index, 1862-1946 (father, James F. Kiernan)
- Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014 for James Francis Kiernan
Destroyer History Website
Find A Grave Website
