Fireman First Class Anthony William Dougherty, Jr., 22, was killed in action November 16, 1942 when the destroyer U.S.S. Walke was sunk by Japanese artillery and torpedoes in the Battle of Guadalcanal near Savo Island. He was one of 82 American sailors who perished.

Born September 2, 1920 in Philadelphia, he enlisted in the Navy February 13, 1940. He was the son of Anthony William Dougherty, Sr., and Mary Shea Dougherty, both of whom were the children of Irish immigrants. His father’s occupation was listed as city fireman in the 1930 census, and as “rigger” on his death certificate in 1945.

His mother died of heart disease in 1930 when he was nine years old. At that time, the household included his father, younger brother John, and his mother’s sister, Anna Shea and her two sons. It’s likely that Anna helped raise him. In 1950, the State of Pennsylvania had a program to pay compensation of up to $500 to men who served in World War II or the next-of-kin of men who were killed. His aunt Anna filed the paperwork, noting that his parents were deceased and he was living with her when he enlisted.

His brother, John J. Dougherty, was 18 months younger. He enlisted in the Army two weeks before his brother was killed, and he survived the war.

Anthony William Dougherty, Jr. is interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. His parents are buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56129028/anthony-william-dougherty

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Walke_(DD-416)

http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/416walke_wilde.pdf

https://donmooreswartales.com/2013/04/08/james-friel/

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Anthony William Dougherty Jr.